Still, he had to be careful. If Malik gets seen, then it's going to be game-over for his mission to find Marcelle. And right when he finally gets a lead. Malik was told to go on straight ahead... and hopefully not into a trap. Still, he was confident in his source because he was being directed. Malik stopped at a hallway and heard some people walking away. Talking. Time to show off.
Malik did a barrel roll from one hallway to the other before they even noticed. He kept moving forward, keeping low, as he made his way through the evil lair. Not that well guarded, is it? Or does the Black Hound's mooks account for a great deal of the security team? Doesn't matter. Long as the good fortune keeps coming!
It wasn't long before Malik reached the end of the hallway that had the title of "SERVER ROOM." What was he going to do here? Start hacking? Heh. The full extent of Malik's computing abilities involved taking pictures, then uploading them to social media. He's going to need the help of his eye in the sky for this one. Though, the door was metal and looked pretty hard to break down. It even had a panel on the side-
His cell phone buzzed, and look, it was his eye in the sky!
12127.
Okay. Malik shrugged as he put in the number combination, aaaaand....
The light went green, and the doors opened. Malik carefully stepped in, as he heard some more people walking by. The doors closed right behind Malik.
Right when he stepped in, he was creeped out. The server room was dark other than the odd blue lights presented by the server machines - which were tall, bulky-looking machines that were probably jam-packed with information. Malik was no computer expert, so he had no idea what they did either way. He took a few steps into the dark, tiled room. Looking around.
Your lead is just right ahead, just look for the server that says 12.
Malik nodded his head and skimmed the servers as he searched for this magic number... Ah! He didn't know what made this server special from the other ones. There were a few missing, yeah, but there were a lot of them missing!
Look down at the last one, and stick your hand in the empty space.
Malik sighed... hoping that this just wasn't some trap (or really elaborate prank) and stuck his hand in. He reached around in the opening, then his eyes opened wide. "Ah-hah!" Malik said as he pulled out the object his contact was referring to.
A bright purple cell-phone.
It belongs to Marcelle.
He pressed one of the buttons, but the phone was dead. He would have to get it home.
Good. You have your lead. Now, it's time for you to escape.
Malik raised his eyebrow.
hey? what about the prisoners you talked about?
There was a solid minute before there was a response, which made Malik think it was bullshit.
The Black Hound will be back soon, and it's best that you leave before he does.
There was something else at play here, but Malik wasn't in the position to question it. Because now he's made his breakthrough. He was going to solve the mystery of what happened to Marcelle one way or another...
... But first, he had to charge this phone!
He put the phone in his pocket before he turned around and started walking out the room. He punched in the code again, and the door opened right up again! Malik started slowly walking out, before he retraced his steps. Dodging cards like the master spy he is.
Malik made it right back to the entrance. Now, he was going have to decide if he was going to open the garage door again, or come up with something else. Malik was fast as hell as a living storm and-
A portal opened up in the garage, and Malik was quick to dip behind a crate.
"... Better get chatty real fast," A woman said as she walked behind someone he knew was being held hostage. "Because if you don't... you're going to wish that we killed you."
Malik peaked a little bit more...
... It was Rhea.
He darted back behind some crates. What did that crazy girl get herself into?! He told her not to get involved, and now look what happened!
Veronica Emily Davis, Rhea Harlow, Malik Jakane, & Makoto Koda.
The portal closed as the two Undertakers held Rhea at gunpoint.
Makoto was the only one holding the gun, but was taking it very lightly. Given that she was cracking jokes. "... Mi casa su casa... Pancake." Makoto continued to taunt her as she poked Rhea in the back with her gun, prompting her to move forward.
Upon exiting the portal, Rhea anxiously patted herself down. Her stomach held a sense of vertigo as, for a brief moment, the portal lacked any gravity. It felt like water if energy could behave as such. Thick, dry, and disorienting.
The smell of gasoline and tires caused Rhea’s eyes to glance about. There were vehicles lined up at the wall and a large metal door to the side. Eerie white lights in the ceiling barely cut into the shadows, casting a sinister glow. Rhea swallowed the lump in her throat.
Amidst the previous threats, she managed to heal the knife wounds in her legs. Her situation, though, remained dire. Makoto was quick to remind her who was in charge, prodding her with the gun.
Veronica just rolled her eyes as she gave Rhea her last warning. "... Better get chatty real fast," She twirling the knife around between her fingers. "Because if you don't... you're going to wish that we killed you."
To The Terror, Rhea gave a fervent nod. “I have full intention of cooperating, and I’ll tell you everything I know. But I, uh”—she grimaced—“need the restroom.”
"Well, we can't have you pissing yourself for when you meet the Black Hound in person," Veronica said, smiling as she waited for that "Oh crap" expression when she realises they're working with one of the most world renown terrorists on the planet. "So, we'll just haul your ass into a cell where you'll have everything you need until the Hound is ready for you."
Rhea's eyes widened. So it's true, then. The Founding Family, The Black Hound and that behemoth are connected. Despite the reassuring dream she had, her stomach twisted at the thought of seeing the masked terrorist face-to-face.
These girls were with the Black Hound? Malik thought to himself. They looked like soldiers, and they were women? The Black Hound must have some deep pockets, or something else must be going on. Either way, Malik has one chance, and one chance alone. It was his fault she got into this, and it's going to be him who gets her out of this. Either he saves Rhea, or die trying.
He quickly converted into his storm-form which was followed by raging winds and the sharp sound of a lightning strike.
"Huh?" Makoto said as she turned her head.
Malik flipped backwards from out of cover, creating raging winds so strong that it would knock anyone unprepared out of cover.
"Who the hell-" Veronica said as she covered her face. The winds were so loud that she couldn't hear herself think. "Sound the alarm!" Veronica said.
Makoto immediately aimed her weapon at Malik and cut loose with her MP5... but, the winds were so strong that the barrage of bullets was thrown off and hit the walls around Malik. "Shit!" Makoto said as she reached around her belt for another clip.
Malik would have pissed himself if he didn't do so before coming here. Because that barrage of bullets made him shriek in fear. He was safe, but he was going to make sure Rhea was out of here safe and sound. He stopped the storm and electricity sounded his hands as he fired two bolts of lightning from his hands that caused a flash of light before the deadly thunder-crash.
The one bolt of lightning hit one of the suspect delivery trucks, and the other slammed against the wall leaving a rather large scorch mark in the wall.
"Rhea, run!" Malik shouted.
Rhea shielded her eyes from the lightning flashes, seeing the shape of a figure down the hall. My God, why’s Malik here? She thought, horrified. These were the… the fiends who took his friend. And as The Terror confirmed, this was the home of The Black Hound.
At Malik’s command, Rhea moved to action. As Makoto was preoccupied filling Malik’s location with bullets, it was simple enough to gently remove her baton from the bag Makoto carried. She beelined to the garage door, slamming an industrial button. As the door slowly rolled open, she looked back. Malik was pinned behind his cover as Makoto and Veronica laid a ferocious assault. We're out of time. Reinforcements must be on their way. She flicked the baton to its full length, tensing as large bolts of light arced menacingly across her body. An intimidation tactic.
Rhea was largely ignored due to the exchange between Malik, Veronica, and Makoto. Veronica pulled a volley of throwing knives out of the concealed holster in her shirt, and pulled them out with telekinesis. She held them in between her fingers, while Malik was shooting lightning, Veronica threw the knives at Malik and propelled them with telekinesis. Malik surrounded himself in a bubble of spinning wind that launched most of them away....
... Except for the one that nailed Malik right in the side. He let out a loud groan and fell downwards onto the ground, as Veronica telekinetically willed her knives to float up into the air prepared to finish Malik off.
While Makoto was hauling ass to the alarm. She slammed the alarm button with an open palm and all the noise was drowned out by the sharp blaring of the alarm throughout the entire base.
There was almost enough space to crawl under the garage door. “Malik, come with me!” Rhea yelled.
Malik turned his head and saw that Rhea was opening the door. "Good girl!" Malik said. He hopped up to his feet and shot a raging wind in the direction of the knives which was enough to throw them away.
Veronica hissed through her teeth as she shouted, "Makoto!"
"Yeah, yeah..." Makoto said as she considered using her metal manipulating, but that would be Bond-villain levels of stupidity. She held the gun with both hands (she was out of ammo anyway), and was surrounded by a black smoke as she appeared in front of Rhea.
She tried to slam the butt of the gun right into her face to knock this bitch out before she even had a chance to use her power.
The moment Makoto disappeared, Rhea dove to the side and rolled to her feet. The gun missed her by inches. Rhea squinted her eyes at the masked lady as her palms slammed together, static spilling from the contact. A bright light, something with the intention of blinding, grew from her hands and shot off as a white bolt. In that moment, Rhea jumped at Makoto, baton swinging for the side of her head.
Makoto let out a groan of pain at not just the blinding light, but getting hit in the head after being stunned was no laughing matter. She fell to her hands, but was quick to teleport out of the way.
"Damn it, Makoto," Veronica hissed in the most bitter tone as she took her eyes off Malik, and raised her hands in the air, and sent the barrage of knives right for Rhea.
All while Malik was hauling ass across the room. He could hear the army running up!
Rhea saw the knives as they barreled toward her, spinning high in the air to attempt dodging them. Two knives were knocked away with her baton, and many others missed entirely. A few, however, changed their course slightly and found their target. Rhea collapsed, knives embedded in her legs and abdomen.
Thunderous footsteps could be heard down the hall. Backup's here... With a pained gasp, Rhea tore out the blades and crawled under the garage door. The wounds had a collection of white static sealing the surface areas, but the pain was almost unbearable.
Veronica was gathering all the knives that she could as she prepared for her retaliation.
But, with Rhea crawling away, it was time for Malik to make an exit. With a swipe of his leg, he shot a blast of wind that knocked back both Veronica and Makoto. And he wasn't done there. He pointed both hands at the controls, before he fired electricity at it which fried it.
Which should make their exit a lot easier.
Rolling underneath the garage door was easy for the parkour master, even without being assisted by wind! He turned his roll into an all out sprint until he caught up with Rhea.
"Hey!" Malik said as he ran alongside her. "You can thank me later... no really, I think they want to kill us!"
He looked behind him, and all he could see was flashlights that had to be attached to guns.
"Alright," Malik said. "Can you do that flashy light thing again? But bigger?" He asked.
“Malik,” Rhea said, stopping to view the reinforcements hot on their tracks. “I already owe you a million coffees. But yes, let’s make some fireworks.”
She winced, moving the hands that cradled her gut wound. Static pooled in her palms as she raised them toward the enemy. “Close your eyes,” she said as the light grew to a blinding amount, illuminating the structures around them as if it were day. With a crack, the bolt was loosed as the light drilled the reinforcement’s eyes.
"Don't have to tell me twice," Malik said as he slammed his eyes shut.
Immediately, Rhea’s head pounded with the beginnings of a migraine. Stars crossed her vision. She shook her head, hurt and disoriented.
It was up to Malik from here, he grabbed Rhea, and took to the skies as he used his wind powers to propel him far up into the sky as possible. He went fast enough to disappear into the buildings. He held onto Rhea tight.
When Cindy and the other RAVENS had arrived on scene, it was already swarming with reporters, cops, and other RAVENS. Cindy's car came to a skidding stop in front of the scene, as she came storming out of the vehicle. She quickly walked up, and reached to her side to pull out some binoculars. She peered through them, and saw all the hostages, and members of the Intimidation Unit keeping them suppressed by patrolling the area. She looked around, and saw that her co-workers were gathering around her.
"Guys, what do you think of this?" Cindy asked. "So far... he hasn't even demanded anything... so I'm wondering what he's even going towards, or when..." Cindy looked back, and prayed to God that they wouldn't start executing people. "Right now... the situation's in his favor." And Cindy regrettably meant that. He had an army in there, and even if negotiations fell through and they finally put the Hound down, it'd be a massacre in there before they even got a chance to take the rest of his men out. That was if they didn't set off a bomb or anything which, going off the Black Hound's M.O, was a very real possibility.
"Whatever the case, just stay on your guard, remember what the report said." Quentin's muffled voice cautioned. The veteran RAVEN wore the standard body armour, helmet and tactical gear which left him a certain degree of anonymity to those who didn't recognise him by his voice, build or the weapons he carried. "He's wearing IR, so when he needs taking down, use it against him. Tear and suppression gas is worthless here," He tugged at the gas mask around his neck, "But there's a chance they'll use it again."
Shizuka wasn't heavily armored like the rest: he wore a simple stealth suit, carrying a long and huge package on his back - the Barrett M107. "I'll just be on standby and looking out for your asses, as usual," he said in a bored tone, shrugging. While it was a rifle powerful enough to put a nice hole through that helmet the Black Hound wore rather than the other guns most of the agents had on them (that probably wouldn't do much other than tickle the mad dog), he didn't feel thrilled about holding back from killing the Hound unless absolutely necessary.
"Be careful," Cindy was quick to say. "The slightest little slip up can cause all hell to break loose...
"Wait, where's Meifeng's crazy ass? Let me go get her here ASAP." Cindy asked herself... before she reached into her pocket, and pulled out her phone, and hit dial. A few minutes passed, before it went to voicemail, and Cindy shook her head. Before showing her cellphone screen to the others. "Would ya' look at that? No answer. What the hell is that girl doi- actually, nevermind. We're gonna have to do without her."
"Just great," Shizuka rolled his eyes, not bothering to hide the hint of jealousy in his tone. "She's probably having a nice day off... while we're all hauling ass here."
Max nodded slightly as Shizuka spoke, though she wasn't quite as jealous - she had actually gotten some breaks in Spain. Like Quentin she wore the standard RAVEN uniform. She couldn't help but feel a bit worried, though. She had been sure Rori had said they'd been going out today. Hopefully it wasn't to this mall.
There were quite a few Metahumans in their vicinity... the Black Hound didn't feel any threat from them. Because they would get gunned down quickly, which was why he didn't even feel the need to collar them. However, he wasn't going to be cocky. He stepped through the crowds, and one person caught his eye. A tall Chinese woman who looked more annoyed to be here than anything.
LIHUA ZHAO
Teacher at Academy 61. Former NEST Intelligence Officer, has participated in several raids on the Changeling Unit and the Hands of Science. Survivor of the Verthaven disaster. Has possible ties to the Chinese military. Has concrete manipulation.
Threat Level: Extreme.
The Black Hound immediately pointed at Lihua, "Get a collar on her."
Lihua growled as the men walked over to her, and placed this uncomfortable ring of metal around her neck. Lihua was planning on creating a distraction at just the right moment... but, without her power, she can't do much in this situation. With her hands tied, she can't reach for her gun - and that would be ten-thousand different kinds of stupid with all these armed goons. Lihua hated being at another man's mercy... especially, a monster like him. He was likely as sadistic as Luis... Though, if he was, he would begin killing people one by one. Was that pragmatism Lihua was sensing? What Luis never realized that drowning the world in blood didn't offer a good paycheck.
...The Black Hound was coming over to her.
Lihua didn't show the slightest amount of fear... she's killed harder men than him, and she's a tiger. And a tiger never shows weakness.
"Lihua Zhao," The Black Hound said, as he grabbed Lihua by the chin to guide her into eye-contact. "I know much about you. Your record is quite... impressive."
Hmph. What was this dog aiming towards? Lihua thought to herself as she was content with keeping her mouth shut.
"I never thought that I would meet a legend face to face," The Black Hound said.
Lihua scoffed.
"Face to face?" Lihua sneered, showing not even the slightest amount to fear. "Far as I can tell, I am staring at a helmet..." She raised an eyebrow.
The Black Hound said, gesturing towards the intimidating helmet he wore. "...I've been waiting to meet you."
"Oh?" Lihua casually said. "What has made you so interested in me... other than my service record?"
The Black Hound stood straight up, brushing off her question. "I wanted to tell you that... it's [i]nothing personal,[i] when I kill her. Meifeng that is."
"What makes you think she'll easy?" Lihua asked, raising an eyebrow, and spoke with utmost confidence in her daughter.
The Black Hound turned around and took two steps, before looking over his shoulder.
"...She is only human." The Black Hound said. "She will fall eventually."
Those words pierced through Lihua, nearly breaking her iron-willed demeanor.
"I don't see why my employers classified you as such a threat..." He started walking off. "Your time on the battlefield has come and gone."
"...And you speak like you're not even human anymore." Lihua said... the Intimidation Unit looked at her, as the Black Hound utterly disregarded her. She had nothing more to say to him. He was a monster... coming over here just to mock her. That was when Lihua kept her mouth shut, she had nothing to do with this, so hopefully a raid will come through and bust her out of here.
Hopefully.
With that, the Black Hound continued scanning for threats. Each face told a story... and he hoped the book didn't close for them today. The Black Hound marched through the crowds of people... and his scanners picked up an interesting sight. A young, blonde-haired girl that looked like she was sixteen, but the Black Hound already knew who she was. He walked up to her, and grabbed the girl by her ponytail and looked her in the eyes. Jennifer was sobbing, shaking in wide-eyed fear as the Black Hound - whom she knew is god damn implacable - held onto her. Lifting her up in the air slightly. Before he let go, and walked off.
She'll be helpful later.
The march continued as the Black Hound was assessing every threat he could in the crowd. Then, his eyes stopped on another person. He stared at them.
HARUKA TAKASHIRO.
Survivor of the Verthaven Disaster. Possesses Air Manipulation. Brother of RAVEN Shizuka Takashiro.
Threat Level: Low.
Haruka wasn't a threat, but his brother with intangibility was the thing that the Hound was worried. He doubted that the man would charge in carelessly... but the Hound wasn't the type that would take careless risks such as this one. He pointed at Haruka, and said, "Bring him here."
His armed goons quickly put their guns away, and grabbed a grim Haruka by the arms and dragged him over to the Black Hound.
"Take his cuffs off; putting this on would be a challenge with his arms behind his back, after all." The Black Hound said with utmost confidence as the Undertakers unbinded Haruka's arms. The moment that was done, the Black Hound grabbed the hem of Haruka's shirt, and pulled it up to his neck. "Hold his shirt here." And the Undertakers complied.
That was when the Black Hound reached into his armor, and pulled out a strange device. It was circular-shaped, and two inches wide, painted all black. There was a small glass canister full of a glowing red energy. Attached to this device was several straps - which he was quick to wrap around Haruka's torso until it was firmly attached to his chest.
"Don't worry," the Black Hound said. "It won't kill you... it's just a preemptive measure in case that brother of yours gets... rash."
That made Haruka raised his eyebrows - he was curious why the Black Hound would want to take precaution against his twin, and even more so at the glowing red thing the Hound had plastered to his chest.
...Was it a bomb?
After pulling his shirt down, the Black Hound pushed Haruka backwards.
"Put him back."
And the Undertakers quickly put Haruka back where he was previously sitting. All the hostages nearest to him - including his college friends - quickly inched away from him.
Haruka ignored them - everything around him seemed to fade out of his mind as the memories of that incident burst out of his mental cage. Rather than fear, all he felt was deja vu.
So this was how it felt to carry such a burden that could go off anytime... and threaten his family.
After his little chit-chat with his hostages, the Black Hound figured that it was time to make it known why he's holding all these people here against their will. The Black Hound just casually walked out the doors of the mall. Without announcing anything. Everyone froze as they stared at the Black Hound. He almost heard someone mutter how they wanted to take the shot.
"...I am ready to negotiate." The Black Hound loudly said.
And the world was terrified.
"I wish to speak with a DOVE or RAVEN of sufficient rank in person..." The Black Hound trailed off.
"...It isn't like none of you have a choice in the matter."
"Damn it." Cindy said to herself. "What is this man's angle? He just fuckin' scrolls out and says he's ready to negotiate?" That was either a sign of utmost confidence. Like the high-roller at a casino. He held all the cards, and wasn't afraid to let everyone know it. Damn it. That meant he had a card... or was really good at unnerving them. Well, he was doing a damn good job at it just by wearing a faceless mask, and killing people.
The comms came alive with the other agents.
"...Have fun negotiating with that bastard because I'm not going anywhere near him!" A male RAVEN said.
"I'm not doing it either, are you crazy?" A female DOVE said.
"Pull some straws." Another DOVE chimed in.
Quentin's voice dripped with disgust. "Are you fucking serious?" He mouthed the words to those in the immediate vicinity, but kept his frustrations off the comms.
And it made Cindy soooo angry. They were bickering... but, it became obvious who needed to go up there and face the Hound. Cindy pressed her earpiece...
"...Can ya'll shut up?" Cindy said. "It's clear that none of ya'll want to do it... which means there's only one person who will. Me."
"What are you? Crazy? He'll kill you!"
"Somebody's gotta do it, and apparently everyone forgot what the hell the badge they're carrying means." Cindy said. "So that means it's a job for someone who isn't."
"You heard her," Shizuka spat into the comms, clearly irritated at how his earpiece kept buzzing every few seconds just to hear some bitchy whining. "So shut up and stop flooding the channel, morons."
"Wait, Cindy-" Reed interjected as he came within speaking distance, a bulletproof vest slipped on under his jacket, "We need you back here. Let me head out there."
"I..." Cindy said. She was determined to get to the bottom of this, but Reed offered. "Yeah, I think you're better suited for the job." She gave Reed a playful poke to the chest. "You can regenerate if he tries to punch you or anything?"
"Isn't as simple as that, but... yeah."
She sighed. "But, be careful, and make sure to keep constant radio contact."
"I can wear a wire if it makes you comfortable," Reed said, a hint of sarcasm in his tone, "Yeah, don't worry. I'll keep something on me, just don't expect me to answer you back straight away."
"Yes, we need to know what the Hound is saying at all times," Cindy said. "Where the hell is Alice? We need her now more than ever."
"Regardless... we need you to talk to him now."
With a nod, Reed pocketed the radio piece and glanced over towards the entrance of the mall. "Wish me luck." He said, before heading off. Stepping out from between the established perimeter of armoured trucks, cruisers and assembled officers, Reed took a path straight for where the Black Hound was stood, a carefully prepared expression on his face.
The Black Hound faced Reed, as his scanners were quick to focus on his face.
REED TAYLOR.
Former VPD officer, survivor of the Verthaven Disaster. Brother of Quentin Taylor. Possesses Regenerative Abilities.
Threat Level: Low.
As another precaution, the Black Hound pressed a button on his helmet to activate his IR goggles and examined Reed. The only thing that the DOVE Investigator appeared to be carrying on him was a holstered CZ75. Regardless, the Black Hound did not show fear. He merely spoke to Reed,
"So... you are also another survivor of that disaster?" He asked. "I've been meeting a lot of them lately..."
He started off casually.
"However, I presume you want to know what we wish to accomplish, and it is simple," The Black Hound started off. "My employers want the following released from captivity, and brought here at once; Dr. Cross, Ignatius, and the Mannequin." The Black Hound said. "Those are my terms."
"Assuming your terms were agreed to, then what are you throwing back at us in return?" Reed asked with a raised eyebrow, folding his arms. Being this close gave him a chance to survey the Hound in a manner that no CCTV footage or report could allow - a chance to size him up.
"Every hostage will be released, and my men will withdraw from the area." The Black Hound quickly answered.
It was an answer Reed had expected, but he'd asked it with good reason. "How many people are you holding inside there? A dozen, give or take, shy of a hundred?" He carried a calm tone, but he was hoping that whoever was listening in to the radio was paying attention.
"One-hundred-and-twelve," The Black Hound exactly said. "Does it matter how many I have, truly? I have over a hundred people at my mercy... do you truly believe the lives of three criminals are worth theirs?"
"Criminals awaiting trial."
"But criminals nonetheless," The Black Hound quickly retorted. "A woman responsible for many crimes against humanity, her bulldog, and... a Changeling."
His eyes flashed red for a moment.
"It should go without saying what he did."
"And if they were handed over to you, then what? More crimes against humanity?" Reed tightened his jaw. "Is there even any guarantee that you'd uphold your end of the bargain? I've seen the worth of your kind of "guarantee" before." Mentioning the Changeling had stirred old memories of how quickly the unit had turned on NEST. Quentin had told him enough about it to remind him that it had got the old man killed.
The Black Hound's eyes flashed bright red yet again. "You have my word... and I don't break promises." The Black Hound answered. "I gain nothing from mass-murder, to begin with..."
"Would you have said the the same while your outfit was tearing up the market?" Reed's eyes were locked with the tinted red of the Hound's.
"They were under strict orders to only kill RAVENS..." The Black Hound said. "I forgot... How many casualties were caused by my men? As for the RAVENS..." He trailed off. "They knew exactly what they were getting into the instant accepted the badge."
"Enough." Reed answered to the question, disgusted. He'd seen the bodies of those caught in the crossfire, seen the dying and wounded cops, RAVENs and DOVEs, along with those that the paramilitaries had beaten down. "I need a guarantee that the people inside are safe and unharmed."
"Then why don't you come inside and look?" The Black Hound said almost sarcastically (it was hard to tell with his monotone and voice changer), stepping aside and giving Reed perfect entrance.
The DOVE gave him a certain look, then shifted their gaze over towards the entrance. By all means, it could've been a trap, or some kind of trick. "Does this end with me walking back out?"
"...Long as you don't try anything." The Black Hound retorted, scoffing afterwards.
Reed took a step forward, then paused. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the others watching him.
"...Reed, before you go in," Cindy said into the comms, worried. "Be careful. And make sure to shout if the Black Hound tries anything... tell me and I'll put the order."
He directed a nod towards Cindy, before turning his attention towards the entrance and heading inside. Keeping as calm and collected an expression as he could, he took the opportunity to survey as much of his surroundings as he could without making it obvious; taking note of every potential hiding spot, each of the paramilitaries stationed around. It was a matter of caution; there were potentially plenty of weapons trained on him and ready to fire. Even if he could have recovered from that... well, dying was an experience he wanted to avoid, as was the risk of placing hostages in danger.
The Black Hound was following behind Reed... making sure to keep an eye on that concealed weapon of his. Though, it was unnecessary because only a fool would pull something with this many lives at risk... and Reed hadn't demonstrated stupidity.
Yet.
Eventually, Reed's path took him through to the Eastern end of the mall, where the hostages were being kept. By the looks of things, the outfit had set things up rather well; each hostage had been zip-tied and set down in an open space, with no clear path of escape that wouldn't have gotten them caught. Some were knelt, others were seated against the benches, whilst a few had been slumped from where they'd tried to put up a fight and been beaten down for their troubles. Reed scanned the crowd, checking for any sign of trouble... they were alive, at least, and weren't in any immediate danger outside of the current situation. It was only when his gaze drifted towards one particular side that he recognized a face in the crowd. Jennifer! For a moment, he almost said something, until he realised that all eyes were on him - and the last thing that he needed to do was unnecessarily draw attention to either of them.
"Re-" Jennifer was about to say, before she held her tongue. They let Reed casually scroll in? What was he doing? Honestly, Jennifer was too scared to properly think everything through. She just chose to wait and see what'd come next. Reed shot her a brief look, as if to try and reassure her, then averting his gaze elsewhere before the Hound and his paramilitaries noticed.
"...Is everything to your liking, Mr. Taylor?" The Black Hound asked, drawing his attention back towards him.
"I've got one other question." Reed said.
"Which is?" The Black Hound curiously said.
"You're holding other people. What about them?" Reed remembered what the girl, Wendy, had told him about Eastgriffin.
"Other people...?" The Black Hound asked... if he wasn't wearing a helmet he'd have been caught raising his eyebrow.
"You've taken other people," Reed said, in a firmer tone, "Kids. What about them?"
"Hmph," The Black Hound scoffed. "That is non-negotiable."
"It's a simple question," Reed said, in a tone that betrayed his origins in the VPD's Detective Bureau, "How're they holding up?"
"Don't waste my time, Mr. Taylor," The Black Hound dodged the question. "We are discussing these people, and these people alone... those children are in the care of my employers, now."
That was one little piece of information, at least. The Hound had confirmed that. Reed, however, had no intention of baiting the man's temper, not with the hostages at stake. "I've seen what I wanted to see. You've got my thanks for that, at least."
"Very well... I'll escort you outside, then." The Black Hound said, cordially... before taking a darker tone. "...Just remember my terms. I can hold this mall for weeks if I please..."
He didn't deign to answer that remark. Instead, he gave the Hound one last look, before heading back towards the perimeter set up by local authorities.
Cindy had heard everything, and thought about it very clearly. Sure, the lives of innocent people were more important than the likes of the Mannequin. Sure, there would be a massive backlash against DOVE and RAVEN if even a single innocent life died instead of those monsters. And sure they could stop them again if they stirred up trouble. But, there was still an underlying issue that they just couldn't help but ignore. Cindy had to voice her thoughts, she pressed her comms.
"Okay, guys, you may not like this, but hear me out for a second," Cindy said, worried about their response. "While I don't think we should risk the lives of innocent people for the likes of the Hands, and the last Changeling, I also don't think we should be so quick to comply with the likes of the Black Hound." She said what was on her mind.
"Because one, like Reed and the Hound said, we're letting lose criminals that ruined a lot of lives... and we don't know if the F-F will kill them, orrrrrrrrr put them to use," Cindy continued with her explanation, leaning up against a DOVE vehicle. "And... most importantly, if we do this, do we really want the Black Hound feeling like he can boss us around?
"Like, what's stopping him from doing the same thing again but demanding Deborah and Shannon next time?"
It was Quentin who first voiced his approval of Cindy's thoughts. "You're right." He'd been standing next to her, listening in to his brother's conversation with the Hound. "We set them free. Then what? I don't expect them to play nice and need I remind all of you, last time we tried making a deal with these bastards, we lost people." Three names crossed his thoughts.
Yeah... they lost plenty of people during that climatic battle - worst of all, Cindy didn't even know half of them. She only heard of them retroactively. But, through their deaths, she gained a new motivation to make sure that whatever happened to them didn't to happen to anyone else, and she didn't trust the Black Hound to uphold his end of the deal. "We really gotta find a way that puts us on top - even if we can't kill the Hound here, we need to get the civilians out of the way," Cindy said, before she sighed. "...But, giving the Hound what his wants is still on the table... My last resort, shall we say."
Either this would end in a bloodbath, or the Hound getting what he wanted... Cindy hated being forced into a situation like this.
Shizuka had been surveying the mall area with his scope. The shops that were in his view appeared to be empty, which meant that the hostages were probably all gathered in one place - and only the ground floor had a space big enough to accommodate so many people together... which he couldn't see. Reed's conversation with the Hound had helped him to cover that blind spot.
"Whatever it is, we'll need to regroup first to find other ways to free the hostages," he finally spoke into the comm as he got up from his position and picked up the rifle. "I'm going down to join you lot now."
"Wait!" His earpiece buzzed with the alarmed voice of another RAVEN sniper. "You can't leave just like that - we still need to keep an ey---"
"I'll leave that to you - one sniper is more than enough," Shizuka simply cut the RAVEN off and switched off his comm, then he fell through the floors with the Barrett.
... ...
Shizuka strolled towards where Cindy and the Taylors were, his big gun resting on his shoulder. "So, what exactly did you see inside?" he directed the question to Reed.
"The gunmen from the market were there. Same uniform, same equipment." Reed had quickly recognized the paramilitaries from that, if not their association with the Black Hound. "They've got all the hostages locked down in the Eastern section of the mall, center of the food court. I couldn't see any easy ways in - they've got guards stationed all over, covering the hostages and making sure there's no easy-access points for us, either."
Shizuka sighed. He didn't expect anything less from the Founding Fag's most beloved pet dog to put them in a shitty situation like this - as Cindy had said, the Hound had all the cards to corner them, and play around with them.
However, he didn't believe in impenetrable defense.
He continued to press Reed for more information, "...Any familiar faces among the hostages?"
One face had stuck with him. "Jen's in there."
Cindy had to sigh. She knew the girl liked to hangout at the arcade here.
Shizuka ran a hand through his hair - just great. While he had seen Jennifer being capable to put up a fight with her enhanced abilities on top of speedy regeneration, those were pretty useless right now. Even if she could easily free herself with her bone spear and manage to survive through a barrage of bullets... then what?
"If it's as Reed says, that the guards have the hostages all covered from possible external assaults, then we'll have to find a way to break from the inside."
Cindy raised an eyebrow. It sounded like Shizuka had a plan... which she, as the "leader" of their group, didn't have (other than to give the Black Hound what he wanted and hope for the best). He probably had a kooky plan cookin' up in that head of his. It might be their only hope. "Well..." She shrugged. "If you have an idea, then I'm all ears - because our hands are tied otherwise."
Shizuka shrugged. "I don't have any bright ideas here myself, not with how limited our choices are at the mo' - we need more intel." They would need things that could turn this to their favor instead. He looked up towards the roof of the mall, then he detached the scope from his Barrett before dumping the unloaded rifle to a nearby RAVEN agent.
He turned to Cindy. "...I'll need you to fly me up there."
"With my magic-carpet bullshit?" Cindy said, rather ignorantly, but she was going to help Shizuka however she could, and place her trust in him. She concentrated and focused on glass from the cars around them - she could put them back later - and drew them close to her. There were light sounds of glass shattering as they gently flew through the air - prompting nearby agents to get out of the way. She quickly created one solid glass pane that was reinforced enough for them to stand on. She definitely perfected this trick over the years, so she didn't have to worry about it breaking. She stepped on, before facing Shizuka.
"Get on."
Shizuka hopped on after her, the scope in his hand. "To the roof," he said in a curt tone.
Cindy made the glass float up into the air, and went right where Shizuka wanted to be.
Once they reached the rooftop of the mall, Shizuka looked around to get his bearings and jogged to where the east-end of the building was, while Cindy was placing the glass pane gently on the roof (that would be mighty suspicious if it fell). He picked a nice, flat spot and got down to a prone position, before turning his head back to Cindy.
"Just in case... hold down my legs."
"...Ooooookay." Cindy said as she grabbed onto his legs.
With that, he took in a deep breath and dipped his head into the concrete, until his entire torso had vanished beneath the concrete roof floor.
Even with all the intense training he had been through, hanging upside down from the ceiling with his stomach in the concrete and not able to breathe was still a challenge. Without wasting any time, he brought the scope to his eye, scrolling through the Intimidation Unit and the hostages, imprinting what he saw into his mind as much as he could.
He zoomed in a little more to do a quick scan of the hostages, and a few of them caught his attention...
He finally resurfaced, breathless, and got up to face Cindy; he had also turned on his comm so that the rest could hear his report. "Just as Reed says: the entire IU is solely covering the hostages - three-sixty - to make sure none of them can escape, and also to prevent us from making any frontal assaults." He glanced around the rooftop. "The only possible way in is from here, the roof. Oh yeah, didn't see the Hound anywhere near the hostages, though."
Suddenly, memories of the old man's action movies of the eighties and nineties came flooding back to Quentin, who could be heard over the comms. "Isn't there a ventilation system on the roof? Or at least some kind of maintenance hatch? Surely that's a better access point than dropping in through the skylight. Less visible, too - then you could blend in better."
"It's a valid point," Shizuka agreed with the senior agent. "Either way we'll definitely need a diversion - I don't think these minions have the tech to sense us like the Alpha, but we do need something to allow us take them all down before they can react and start shooting back."
"I have something that might help," Cindy was quick to chime in on the comms. "There's a lot of glass up here... I can make use of that to create shields for the hostages if necessary - everyone else is gonna have to make due without me, though."
"We'll probably need your glass shields." Shizuka nodded to Cindy. "And do whatever it takes to keep the casualties minimal."
His juicy report didn't end there with the Hound's puppies. "Besides Jen, I've also spotted two more familiar faces." Shizuka's face darkened as he revealed their names. "One is Lihua, and she's the only person with a suppressant collar on. The other... is my brother." Haruka had a strange bulge on his chest; the thought of these bastards hurting his twin was enough to make Shizuka flare up, but he knew better than to lose his temper now. This was probably what the Hound wanted from him: to charge in after Haruka and meet his own death.
...As if he would go along with that dog's crappy playscript.
If the Hound thought that he had all the cards in his hands, then all they needed to do was to draw another card, to create a chance for themselves - a surprise attack on the Intimidation Unit.
"I have an idea to create that distraction," Shizuka began, his grip tightened around the scope. "But I'll be blunt that it's a risky gamble that requires perfect coordination from all of you.
"Haru can make an air vacuum to suffocate the people in the hall - hostages and IU - and make it look like a case of faulty ventilation system. We can make use of the confusion to launch a surprise precision attack. They had something on him probably to threaten me---" he had to pause to stop the anger seeping into his voice, "---but they'll never expect my harmless brother to try fighting back."
Deep down he really hated this super-risky (not to mention, downright crazy) plan, but it was the only thing he could come up with now - he just had to trust his older brother and stop treating him like the powerless kid from seven years back.
Written in collaboration with @Zombiedude101 RAVEN/DOVE West Coast Joint Headquarters.
Not too long after seeing Wendy, the doctor had given Rowan the all-clear and had him released from their custody. But that hadn't exactly gotten him off the hook - he'd been told to get some rest and check back in with them if he started feeling more pain where the Black Hound had knocked him down, though in truth he had his stash of painkillers to handle that.
What did concern him was once he'd gotten back to the dorm, he couldn't find any sign of Wendy, anywhere - not at any of their usual hangouts or even by her dorm area. Asking around didn't help either - the only one who'd seen her had mentioned her heading outside, wherever that meant. With no alternatives and worried for what was probably an only friend, Rowan grabbed for his phone and sent a text.
where are you? back at dorm cant find you anywhere. im sorry i was useless please just talk to me
Guilt had welled up at the back of his mind. Was it his fault, maybe? If Wendy hadn't tried to help him then maybe she could've got her friends and sister back. His phone soon buzzed with a response.
It's okay Rowan. I'm out at the moment, don't worry about me, I'll be back soon.
That didn't sound good. He shot another text back.
where? seriously im worried, just tell me
Rowan... keep it to yourself, but I'm getting Diana back the hard way. Sorry, but I have to do this.
What? Rowan's concerns proved to have good founding. He frantically tapped out another message.
wait hold up im going with you. not doing this by yourself
Sorry, but I already got you in enough shit.
I got you in shit not the other way round cmon where are you
It was a few minutes before the next text came.
1731 Minoma Vale... be careful, and try to come in through the garage and open it with your power.
It didn't take Rowan long to recognise the address; New Raygate was a place that the old man had been to enough times and the place that Wendy had given wasn't too far from one he'd seen before.
Throwing on his hoodie, Rowan quickly downed a dose of painkillers to dull the ache in his ribs and set off straight for Wendy.
Wendy Emily Lucker & Rowan Campbell.
Written in collaboration with @Zombiedude101 New Raygate, Prince Edfield.
After a quick bus ride, then "borrowing" a bicycle to make the trip a little quicker, and then finally walking a shorter distance, Rowan eventually found himself in an alleyway opposite the compound that Wendy had spoken of, hoodie drawn up to avoid making his identity obvious. Whipping out his phone again, he shot another text.
I'm across the street
Wendy was pressed up against the wall of the facility, not too far away from the entrance where she first made infiltration. She peaked around the corner and noticed some guards coming up. She quickly stepped into a janitor's closet, before she looked at her phone. Rowan was here....
Try to get across the fence. I'm heading to the garage now. Hurry.
Wendy said as she stepped out of the supply closet, and walked back over to the garage.
Rowan steadily made an approach, sticking to the shadows as he crossed the street. From what he could ses, there were a few people inside the compound, though it was clear they had better things to do than stare put into the street all day and Rowan soon recognised the pattern of their movements.
The fence itself looked pretty damned tall however, with barbed wire making it difficult to climb over without making a scene. Not that it made much of a difference - Rowan had a couple gunning for him here. Waiting until he had a clear path, he searched for any handhold he could, then started scaling the fence. As he approached the razor-sharp barbs at the top, all he had to do was just concentrate... and they soon parted and deformed, leaving him a gap to climb over.
Now on the other side, his eyes darted for any sign of the "garage" that Wendy had mentioned, but he soon had to scrabble for cover behind a nearby trash canister as another of the security guards started walking past his way. He was, at least, thankful that he could probably screw up the video feed on any security cameras he'd missed.
The two security guards simply scrolled by, and ignored the trash canister. They were having a conversation, and didn't think anyone except the stupid would come near here. They continued past the building.
By this time, Wendy made her way back to the garage, and had her hand up against the garage door button, and her other hand was texting Rowan.
Are you there yet?
She sent.
Then she received another text from her benefactor.
What are you doing?
Her benefactor sent, Wendy didn't respond.
The more people you get involved, the harder this gets.
Wendy could just feel the stern irritation, but if this is what it takes.
Rowan peered out again, then just about made out the garage she'd mentioned this time. After glancing from one side of the compound to the other to check he was clear, he broke from cover and made a steady beeline for Wendy's position.
I'm there
Wendy pressed the button, and the garage door opened - but when it was low enough for Rowan to crawl through, she stopped it. Opening the whole thing was just a recipe for disaster!
Just as quickly as she'd opened it, Rowan ducked down and slipped through the slim gap that Wendy had opened. His scrawny frame only served to help him fit through with ease and as he caught sight of his friend in need, he couldn't help but ask with a rasping voice, "Little help?"
Wendy quickly closed the door behind him before anyone could notice, and hopped down. She scratched the back of her neck as she said, "... Thank you for coming." Wendy said as she looked around. She grabbed Rowan by the wrist and dragged him into the depths of the base. "... Come on, we have to go - I'll explain later."
Going down the path that her contact told her, Wendy and Rowan were lead along. They were crouching through the area. She peaked at her phone occasionally for directions. She was going to try to get in and out of here as quickly as possible.
Head for Subject Capitivity, there should be a sign directing you right to it.
... Also tell your friend to stop screwing with the cameras.
Wendy nodded her head as she looked up at the sign that was pointing them right for the subject capitivity. She peaked around the corner, and saw that the coast was clear....
There was a giant crash right from where they came from, and Wendy turned around as it sounded like a literal storm was going on inside the garage. "... The hell?" Wendy said to herself as she turned around.
That's when the alarms started blaring, and all hell broke loose. There was some gunfire coming from the garage, but that was the least of her concerns. She heard a group of men running towards them, shouting. Wendy was more than certain they weren't after them... but, maybe it wouldn't have ended that well if they were seen. She made it to a T, and quickly turned left with Rowan in tow.
"Quickly!" Wendy said in a hushed tone as she moved fast as she could, whilst the scrawny kid was straight on her heels. Eventually, they made it to a wooden door that looked expensive as hell. On the door "EZEKIEL'S QUARTERS" were engraved in gold. Wendy tried to pry the door open, but it was locked. "Shit..." She hissed, before she looked at Rowan. She could hear footsteps.
"Rowan," Wendy urgently said. "You have to open the door."
"I need a sec." Rowan said in an equally hushed tone as he slipped past Wendy, bending his fingers inwards as his attention was shifted to the lock. Focusing, he twisted towards the left until he heard a faint click, then frantically grasped the handle and pried the unlocked door open, quickly pulling Wendy inside before he shut it behind him.
Wendy locked the door behind them, and pressed her ear against the door, trying to listen to see if anyone was coming. Fortunately, all she heard was people running past. She sighed in relief as she tried to figure out where the hell they were... She turned around and looked around the room and all she could see was a mansion. Like, it looked different from the evil compound that she stepped into.
The floors were coat in lush carpet that matched the fancy wooden interior of the building. Mixed with all the fancy furniture, Wendy knew that this was someone's quarters. For Rowan, this was the kind of place you only ever really saw on TV - and here he was standing, out of place.
"... Wow." Wendy said as she walked in, and then her eyes centered on one thing, and one thing only.
The bookshelf.
She skipped over to it, manuevering around the chairs, and scanned it with her fingers. It was a nice distraction from the whole tense rescue mission she was on. Then her hands rested on one book in particular.
"Oh!" Wendy said as a sense of excitement had overcame her as she grabbed the book.
Rowan picked up on her curiosity but realised that this was probably not the time or the place. "So uh.. what next?
"Rowan!" Wendy said, holding onto the book, "Do you know what this book is?!" She said, giddy as a schoolgirl, almost jumping up and down.
She presented it to him, and... the book was a very rare book. The first edition copy of The Great Gatsby. Printed in 1925, it had to be worth thousands of dollars. But, to the bibliophile, it was priceless. Even though she read the book a thousand times, the fact that she managed to get her hands on a first edition was going to make her book collection great.
Rowan shrugged at that, oblivious to the book's value or contents. He'd never been much of a reader to begin with. "What is it?"
"What is it?" Wendy tilted her head in disbelief, her eye twitching slightly. "What is it?!" Wendy loudly said.
"This is the first edition of the Great Gatsby, printed in the God damn nineteen-twenties! You know how valuable this book is?!"
"Five hundred?" The poor kid was out of his league when it came to such a literary counisseur.
"Two. Thousand. Dollars!" Wendy said in excitement, before she calmed down. "I looked it up on Ebay... waiting for the day I can buy it!"
"Holy shit!" He finally exclaimed, fumbling with his bag. There had to be space for more. "Any others worth that much? We can grab 'em, then get Diana and the others, we'll be loaded!"
"Sell it?" Wendy said, raising an eyebrow. "Hell no! This is going in my book collection, and staying there."
"Come on, you don't need all of them, do you? Any you don't like?" He thought about all the uses he'd have for the cash. It was more than anything he'd ever had before.
"Well... maybe I'll grab some of the less valuable ones...." Wendy looked at the bookcase, and saw some other rare and valuable books. Man. This Ezekiel guy not only has good tastes, but money! She'd feel bad about robbing him if he wasn't, you know, evil. She put the Great Gatsby in her satchel, as she looked around.
She used her paper manipulation to pull books such as an older edition of Bram Stoker's Dracula, first edition of Cat in the Hat (Which was odd for a grown man to normally have if they weren't a book collector, after all), and the first edition of Lord of the Rings... though, there was something off about the last book when it came open for a second - like there was something in it.
But, Wendy didn't care because she would check out all these books when she gets back.
"Alright," Wendy said. "They probably won't mind if I borrow some of these books... given that we're, you know, intruding in their base."
She shrugged as she slung the satchel over her shoulder.
"Now, let's get out of here, we have to save Diana," Wendy said as she walked back towards the door, and unlocked it. Peeking out, she saw the coast was clear. Whatever happened certainly distracted them, whatever helps Wendy. She gestured for Rowan to come along as she left Ezekiel's quarters.
"Lock the door behind you." She said. Rowan obliged her, leaving the door as it was on his way out.
Then they were back into this base.
Following the instructions of their contact, Wendy made her way to the Subject Captivity... It was awful thinking of what they were doing to Diana. She prayed that she got here in time. She made it to the metal door that looked like it belonged in a scifi movie. It was like an elevator door, but thick, and durable. She knew that it'd be difficult, if not impossible for them to force it open... not without causing a hell of a lot of noise.
There was a keypad for the locked door off to the side, and Wendy stared at it for a moment. She comteplated texting her contact, asking if he could tell him the code. Or if she could get Rowan to do some weird magnetism...
29854. Hurry up, your distraction has ended, and the base is going on full alert.
Wendy nodded her head as she punched the code in, and quickly opened the door. Immediately, Wendy was exposed to the sight of a long hallway with jail cells... and each cell had bars on them. She hesitantly stepped inside with Rowan as the doors closed behind them, only to be caught off-guard by Rowan gasping with shock. There were... so many people here. With each step she took, she saw more people behind the bars.
"What the fuck..." Rowan murmured, the many faces staring back at him.
There's no time to look for the keys, just use your magnetism to pry the locks.
Wendy nodded her head as she put her phone back in her pockets. She has to be quick. She reached into her satchel, and grabbed one of the batteries tightly. There was the light crackling of electricity as it funneled into her hand. The electricity traveled down her wrist, as she activated her electrical powers.
"Alright, Rowan, we gotta unlock these doors the hard way...." Wendy said as she put her hand on the lock, and funneled electricity into it as she unlocked the cell doors. There was a loud click as they opened, and the occupants came running out. Those who didn't soon did once Rowan tore the damned things off by the hinges, fuelled with a sudden rage at seeing so many people like him and Wendy caged up like animals. Just like how the old man would've had it.
"Wait!" Wendy said as she put her hand on their power suppressant collars, and snapped it open with electricity. It fell to the ground, and Wendy said, "Try to get everyone else free. This is a jailbreak."
"Yeah, c'mon!" Rowan beckoned in encouragement, helping others by breaking their collars in half with sheer overwhelming force.
It wasn't long until a few escapees became many, and Wendy was doing what she could to take their collars off... but, it was becoming apparent that they weren't just kidnapping Metahumans. There were regular, powerless, people here. What did the Founding Family want with them?
One cell that Wendy opened had Jessica, and Kiri... and some other girl, but not Diana? Wendy opened the bars, and the two came running out. She quickly broke the collar off Jessica, before the super-strong girl simply just ripped it off.
"Wow, I didn't expect you to come save us," Jessica said, putting her hands on her hips.
"What... where's Diana?" Wendy had to ask.
"I don't know... she was with us, but that big bastard came by and took her, and put another girl in her place." Jessica raised her eyebrow.
"The Hound?" Wendy asked.
"Oh, yeah," Jessica said. "... I don't know why, he just opened up, reached in, and snatched her."
Wendy clenched her fist tightly. "I swear..." Wendy hissed. "I came so close to finding Diana, only for her to slip between my fingers...." She was holding back tears.
"Look, Wen," Jessica said, putting her hand on her shoulder. "We'll find 'er, eventually... but, for now, I think we ought to get out of here."
"But, wait..." Wendy stopped them because she had to ask. "... What did they do to you down here?"
"Nothing...." Jessica shrugged. "They just said we were going to be needed later."
".... Oh my God!" Someone shouted in the hallway, through all the panicked chattering, the arrival of the Intimidation Unit went all but inaudible.
"Everyone get down!" The armed man shouted as he shot in the air.
Everyone took their chances, and hauled ass out the other exit... or began to fight back. A pyrokinetic filled the hallway with fire, and left some pretty scatching burns. However, he was gunned down with some heavy crossfire.
Which gave Wendy enough time to turn and haul ass to the other door. "Move!" She shouted as she pushed the scared people aside and moved over to the keypad. Reason would be leading her to believe that the other end would have the same code. However, her hands were shaking. When she mean to put in nine, she pressed eight. And slammed her fist against the side the keypad when she had to start over.
"Sorry, Wendy!" Jessica shouted as she ran up to the door and punched it hard as she could in the center. She then pried open the door with all of her strength... and that was surprising since Wendy was unsure of whether or not she and Rowan could force it open with their magnetism. "We gotta move!" Jessica said as she kicked over what was left.
The Black Hound, after escorting Reed around the hostage situation, had merely separated from the rest of the Intimidation Unit and hidden himself in the back of a Victoria's Secret. The Black Hound pressed his earpiece, and communicated with his superiors.
"Ah, Black Hound." He heard the voice of Blake Schmidt. "Your handiwork is all over the news - I think at this rate, it's going to be national." Blake confidently said.
"Thanks to my calculations... I have forced them into an unfavorable situation." The Black Hound said.
"However, I wouldn't get cocky, and force them to act rashly, that'll only end badly for all of us." Blake said. "This is like a game of chess... you have to work around what your enemy plans."
"You underestimate me, Blake," the Black Hound cockily said. "Once I have thwarted them... they'll have no choice but to give in. As they'll have no other options..."
"Oh," Blake said. "I almost forgot to ask..." He trailed off. "...Are there any possible candidates?" He laughed.
"...A small amount," the Black Hound said.
"Good enough! We need everyone we can for the Machine!" Blake said. "Force them into the portals before anyone notices."
"...Wouldn't that force their hand?" the Black Hound said, remembering that he gave the DOVE a "tour."
"You're a master of subterfuge, Hound," Blake said. "I know you can do it without them seeing it."
The hostages around Haruka were fidgeting restlessly, staring at the armed men patrolling around them with fearful eyes; Angela and Ryan had finally moved back to his side, but Marcus still maintained his distance, glaring at the device strapped under his shirt.
"W-We're all going to die in this anyway," was what Angela said when she inched next to Haruka. "There's nowhere we can run with this evil SWAT team swarming around to keep us here."
Haruka could tell that she was trying to act brave - her lips were trembling as she spoke. "...Thanks," he murmured. Ryan only shoulder-bumped him, but he understood his gesture.
Just then, he felt a vibration in his back pocket. He could get the mobile out, but with his hands tied behind he couldn't see the message.
"I'll help," Angela whispered. Ryan had also closed in, to shield what they were doing from the watchful eyes of the Intimidation Unit.
"'Vacuum'," Angela read softly. "What...?"
"Who is it from?" Haruka injected. He had a good idea, but he had to be sure.
"I don't know, the name is in Chinese? Wait, you're Japanese..."
It's Shizu - definitely him. Haruka wondered where his twin was watching him from, but he wasn't stupid enough to start looking around and draw unnecessary attention to himself. Not with a bomb still stuck to his chest.
He didn't know what his eccentric twin was planning - there was nothing he could do but to trust his brother, anyway. "I need to concentrate... I'll explain later."
"...Looks like you have a plan," Ryan muttered out of the corner of his mouth, his eyes on the guards. "Just do your thing. We got your back."
Haruka poured all his concentration to the air around the hall; he began pushing the air out of the area slowly, creating an air vacuum around the hostages and the guards around the perimeter, while careful not to rush and alert the armed men with an unnatural draft.
...Trust that brother of his to come up with such an insane idea.
Heavy breathing sounds began to ripple through the crowd, and those weaker ones were fainting. The armed men were also becoming restless, distracted...
Sluggish.
Haruka wasn't spared from the suffocation, but he knew he couldn't cave into his body reaction to the lack of air. He would have to hold this vacuum until Shizuka put whatever madness into action.
After Shizuka told his plan, Cindy was able to form a strike team and positioned them on the roof of the building. Each of the strike team were armed to the teeth, and had a rappel line attached to their belts. They were ready to rappel down through the glass ceiling, and begin shooting. However, it was Cindy who was the most worried. This plan of Shizuka required so much God damn precision that she doubted her ability to cover everyone. However, she would have to make due. Just in case everything went wrong, she had a bullet-proof vest, tear-gas, and flashbangs - and of course her trusty pistol.
Okay, so Cindy was going to break the glass at the exact moment they were going to rappel down, and hope she didn't get filled with bullets as she covers everyone with glass barriers. It was going to be tricky because this was the most glass Cindy has ever controlled, like, ever. They just had to rely on the air vacuum buying them a window of opportunity. There were snipers positioned on the rooftop as well.
"Is everyone ready?" Cindy spoke into the comms.
"Ready." Quentin said, after tugging at his own rappel harness until he felt the cable's firm hold. His last encounter with the Black Hound had stuck with him and he'd not forgotten how close he'd been to dying, but that was an occupational hazard - one he'd known since Verthaven. This time he'd come prepared and better equipped, with higher stakes to keep him focused.
"Ready as ever," Max added, checking her own harness one last time. She didn't exactly feel prepared for this plan but hey, it was the best they had. It should work.
Shizuka had already slipped beneath the roof, hiding on the topmost level with his scope trained on the hostages and the Hound's army below - to give the team the signal. "It's working," he smirked to himself as he muttered into the comm. "Showtime, boys."
"Okay..." Cindy took in a deep breath as she cleared her mind and tried her best to focus on the glass. All over the glass subtle cracks had begun to form so silently they were utterly out of the range of the Intimidation Unit. They started out small, before they became gigantic... with the air vacuum, it would be hard to notice. "On three... One..."
The glass started cracking even harder.
"Two..."
Tiny fragments of glass began to fall like powder.
"...Three!"
That's when Cindy pushed the weakened glass over the edge, and utterly shattered the glass into millions of small pieces. Everyone was quick to rappel down as Cindy "caught" as much of the glass as she could, it was suspended into midair. When the agents rappelled down, they immediately cut loose with their assault weapons and, thanks to Shizuka's plan, managed to take out a great deal of them before they had a chance to fight back.
"Here they come!" A member of the Intimidation Unit shouted as he opened fire on the RAVENS, followed by his allies.
Acting fast, Quentin quickly cut his harness loose and made a push for cover, taking advantage of the moment of confusion to get to a better position.
Cindy was able to grab the glass, and use it as a barrier for the hostages. She created a square, before the glass heated up to the point where she could bend it, and then she curved it inwards over them. Creating a tunnel of sorts. Which should be enough for them to crawl away. She was creating it towards the nearest exit (and closed off the other side). With all the bullets being slung around, she needed it.
While Cindy was busy with the glass tunnel, Shizuka was covering her back. Shooting with handguns was a different sensation from firing sniper rifles - not that he wasn't good with small guns like this, but there was no sense of weight behind every squeeze of the trigger as he speed-shot down the approaching goons. By the time the first one went down, he had already taken down another three more. He felt mixed at the sight of the increasing dead bodies - his mind was disgusted, but his finger was trigger-happy... and unstoppable.
There was death, people crawling around, and everything else... it was God damn chaos here.
Jennifer was feeling pretty lightheaded... she found that it was getting hard to breathe. Was it caused by the Hound's machinations? Or was the sheer stress causing her to fall apart? She looked around, and people were passing out. She was praying that it was employed by RAVEN, and not some other unknown factor that'd make an already insane situation three times as chaotic... Then it got ten times as chaotic. The glass broke, then RAVEN began grappling down from the roof, and killed the Intimidation Unit that were guarding them. Which was great... but, there was a god damn bloodbath now. Bullets were everywhere. People were desperately trying to get away. And all sorts of chaos.
It was time for Jennifer to break herself free. She had the power to do so from the beginning, but she knew that it was retarded to tangle with the likes of the Black Hound.
A bone spear violently erupted from her wrist and destroyed the cuff that was around her. There was a stream of blood coming down from her wrist, but it quickly stopped - and the gaping hole closed when Jennifer retracted the spear. Good. Her legs were getting sore from all this sitting around. She quickly looked off to the side, towards the exit and hauled ass (by that, she meant she limped with the best of her ability) off in that direction. Though, it wasn't long before she stopped.
She came across Lihua, who was lying down on the ground, damn near unconscious. While people were stepping over (or on) her in their desperation to get away. The altruism in Jen's heart, mixed with the fact that this was Meifeng's mom made her go out of her way to help her. She first created another bone spear out of the palm of her hand, knelt down and stabbed through the cuffs. She looked over at her neck, and then quickly stabbed it open and threw it off.
Jennifer grabbed Lihua by the wrist, and began to drag her with all of her strength.
It took Haruka some time to cut through the plastic cuffs with an air knife (well, how sharp would you expect from a knife made out of crudely compressed air?), even more to free his college friends too. His friends managed to remove the disc-shaped device from Haruka's chest and threw it among mass of dead bodies nearest to them. The boys were able to recover from the breathlessness just now, but Angela was still feeling weak, and had to lean on Ryan for support in order to move towards the glass tunnel as quickly as they could.
Haruka perked up at the sight of his twin; before he could call out to Shizuka, the silver-haired RAVEN yelled at them, "Get down!" The four dipped down just in time as Shizuka shot down two of the Hound's men behind them.
"Shizu!" Haruka broke away from his friends and rushed to his brother, and gave a quick, grateful nod to Cindy. Although Shizuka's face remained stony, Haruka could see a shadow of relief in his twin's sharp eyes.
Shizuka noticed that whatever was underneath Haruka's shirt was now gone, but now wasn't the time for chit-chats. "Talk later - now get your asses out of here."
As the four young adults were beginning to walk into the tunnel, Marcus made a remark, "All this wouldn't have happened... if it wasn't because of you lot."
And then it happened in a flash. Before any one of them could react, Shizuka suddenly slammed Marcus onto the ground by the neck, and pointed his pistol on the shocked blond's head. "Get this drilled into your cock brain," he snarled, his grip tightening around Marcus' collar, making the blond choke. "While we're all using our cursed powers to save the likes of you, how about some words of gratitude from that filthy mouth of yours?" Marcus would have never dreamed of looking into a face that was the exact same with Haruka's with such piercing look that was enough to make him pee his pants.
"Wait, Shizu, don---" Haruka was going to rush forward to pull his brother away, but Shizuka had already stood up.
"Words are as dangerous as superpowers," Shizuka said as he looked down at Marcus with scorn. "Enough to get yourself - and everyone else - killed if you don't stop being a retarded pussy." With that, he turned away from the quartet.
Unfortunately for them, one of the fallen thugs wasn't dead. Raising a shaking hand, his pulled the trigger of his gun, trying to take a shot at the RAVEN agent - Shizuka - with his last breath. The bullet missed the surprised silver-head and merely grazed a cut on his leg, but it went to Marcus' arm, who was sitting up. Shizuka immediately whipped around and pumped two shots into the goon to make sure he was completely put out of his life (and it wasn't a pretty sight, at all).
"Marc!" Haruka stepped forward to help Marcus, but the blond slapped his hand away. Marcus then threw them a look before he held onto his bleeding arm and wobbled through the tunnel on his own.
"Leave him be," Shizuka said, sweeping his handgun around in case of another sneak attack like just now. "...Some people just have to learn things the hard way. Now go!"
When the glass broke, the Black Hound immediately whipped around and pressed a button in his helmet to turn on the IR scanner. He saw the skeletons of RAVENS propel down - armed with assault weapons - and he tightly clenched his fist. Why were the Intimidation Unit just standing by and letting them come in? There had better have been a good reason for this. He readied his FN Minimi and was quick to kick down the doors of the department store. He didn't waste any time in opening fire on the RAVENS with a barrage of machine-gun fire. Even if the hostages got away, he was going to turn this around for the Founding Family... or at least get some of the "candidates" to please the Blessed Three.
"Heads down!" Quentin warned the other RAVENs, aware of the incoming suppressive fire.
It didn't take being told for Max to duck down, taking cover from the open firing from the Black Hound. She got hit by a bullet in the ass - it was painful but it would regenerate. Could've been worse.
The Black Hound ran out of ammo, but the bastard wasn't going to stop here. He quickly pulled the ammo can out, throwing it to the ground, before slamming another in.
Cindy had to roll down and take cover behind a potted plant as the Black Hound's overwhelming offense continued. It would be tough, since the Black Hound is so damn durable that they'd need a 50. cal to do more than tickle him. Each of his stray bullets hit her glass shield and punched through it like it was nothing. His caliber was way too damn high for her to properly guard against... Then the idea hit her!
"Shoot his gun!" Cindy shouted as loud as she could over the comms in hopes that she wouldn't be completely drowned out by the fire. Unless there was some mighty bullshit going on, they should be able to damage his weapon at least.
Although the bullets passed through Shizuka's intangible body harmlessly, he still felt annoyed getting shot at. "What d'yo--- God damn it," he swore in mid-sentence as another round of bullets sprayed at the RAVENs, drowning out the rest of Cindy's voice in the comm. A sideways glance at Cindy told him that her glass shields weren't going to hold up much against the Hound's machine gun. He fell back next to Cindy. "Forget about the shield - I'll shield you. Just focus on finding a way to bring that mad dog down!"
He had grabbed an assault rifle from one of the dead Hound's men - he knew a mere pistol would be utterly useless against the Black Hound, but not even the AR could put a single scratch on that monster. Even if he could somehow haul his Barrett in here, it would already be too late...
This time, Quentin had made preparations after how badly his last encounter with the Black Hound had gone. Recalling how the AR he'd grabbed had barely tickled the bastard, the veteran RAVEN had loaded his 870 with slugs - which were now pointed downrange towards the assassin.
After a moment of lining up his reloading target, Quentin squeezed back on the trigger.
The slugs served nothing more than to annoy the Hound. It punched against his resistance armor, and his Metahuman durability absorbed what was left. He put his hand up to block his face... He narrowed his eyes in irritation. RAVEN was going to gang up on him, he could feel it. They know that they couldn't let the Black Hound get the advantage and pick them off one by one - his usual strategy... Where's the Phantasm when you need him? He thought to himself.
The Hound dipped behind cover, and grabbed one of his many grenades - he pulled the pin, and tossed it in the direction of the largest group of RAVENS.
"Get back!" They shouted as they tried to get away, but some couldn't escape the explosion.
He was quick to get back out from cover, and immediately opened fire yet again towards the Agents that weren't in cover as he moved away from them. Suppressing fire.
Max was pushed to the side by the nearby explosion - but thankfully had avoided being in the main blast. She ducked behind cover, peering her head up and over to try and get a few shots off at the Black Hound as he backed off. She realised, though, that if they didn't do something soon he'd get away.
Forced out of his position, Quentin scrabbled for cover as the Hound began his next volley of suppressive fire, practically throwing himself against a low hanging tile wall whilst other RAVENs were caught up in the crossfire. Shit. Across the centre he spotted Cindy, still hidden behind one of her shields when another idea had dawned on him. IR.
"Bird, suppressive on my mark!" His voice blasted over the comms, as he reached for a flare in one of his pouches. The heat had thrown him off last time, giving it another shot couldn't have hurt. Quentin twisted off the cap and struck it against the tip of the flare, igniting it in a glorious red hue, before quickly leaning out from behind cover and throwing it straight into the Hound's field of view.
"Now!"
Okay, Quentin wanted her to start shooting? With her God damn peashooter that's basically going to tickle him? She was wondering if he was insane, but honestly, Shizuka's plan was so God damn insane that it literally couldn't get anymore insane. She took in a deep breath and quickly dipped out of cover and unloaded her pistol on the Black Hound. Which was enough to catch his attention... in the worst way possible. He aimed his machine gun at her and Cindy immediately dipped back into cover.
The flare... The Black Hound's infrared vision was being disrupted. He groaned in irritation as he backpedaled some way away from the RAVENS. Once he was enough distance, the Black Hound grabbed various grenades off his vest, and threw them onto the ground between himself and the RAVENS.
"Find cover!" Cindy shouted as she got the hell away.
When the grenades exploded, it was a mixture of flash bangs, and fragmentation grenades that utterly ravaged the area around them. "Son of a bitch!" Quentin seethed, forced back to cover by the blasts.
"...Zenith." The Black Hound said as he took a step back and saw the portal open behind him. He pressed his helmet and ordered, "Intimidation Unit, on me!"
Armed men and women came out of the portal, and assembled from the firefight going on around the mall. They quickly took position around the Black Hound, who merely stepped into the portal, and it closed behind him. The Intimidation Unit opened fire and kept the RAVENS suppressed.
"Damn it!" Cindy shouted, "He got away... but, wait..." She thought about it for a moment. The last time the Hound pulled out, he took his mooks with him. Here, he just called more. Cindy pressed her earpiece again, "I don't think he's gone, keep an eye out!" Cindy shouted into the comms, before she popped out of cover and started shooting again.
While the battle raged inside the mall, the hostages were hauling ass out of the mall, unaware the Black Hound had re-positioned. Right in the doorway of the mall the Black Hound stepped out with a change of weaponry. His FN Minimi was slung over his shoulder by a strap, and he was holding a M23 Grenade launcher in his hands. Everyone shouted as the Black Hound aimed his grenade launcher at the perimeter and fired a barrage of grenades at the LEOs. An explosion rocked the area as a vehicle was blown in the air and rolled over some officers. It wasn't long before the whole place was reduced to a burning wreckage.
"Zenith." The Black Hound said as a portal opened behind him, and the Black Hound had stepped in after throwing a volley of grenades that trashed the place even further. Another portal opened up in the center of the scene. He started unloading his grenade launcher yet again at the LEOs before his clip went dry and he called, "Zenith." And retreated into another portal. His strategy was becoming quickly apparent.
This should be enough..
"The Black Hound!" Someone shouted in the comms. "He's out here, and tearing us apart!"
"Ugh!" Cindy loudly grunted as she dipped out of cover and fired a volley of three shots that hit an Undertaker in the chest, and dipped back behind cover just as fast. They either have to continue fighting these mooks, or do they go back to face the Hound? Who was apparently such a problem that nobody could handle him.
Reed! It was Quentin who quickly realised that his brother was still out there, along with the hostages and the others. Still in cover, he started retrieving and loading more slugs into the magazine tube of his 870, determined to put himself between the bastard and the others before he lost any more friends or colleagues to the likes of the Founding Family.
Meanwhile, Shizuka had slipped out of the chaotic hall and gone up to the level where some of the RAVEN snipers were positioned. Why weren't they doing their job when everyone needed them most now? He got the answer when he found one of the snipers.
Fear had completely overwhelmed him - to the point that he was shitting his own pants. (Even more ironic that he was older that Shizuka.)
Jesus. Shizuka slipped his handgun back into the holster next to his thigh, then he snatched away the sniper's .50 cal. "I'll do this. Now get lost and go make yourself useful."
After giving a quick check of the sniper rifle, Shizuka adjusted his aim down at the Hound's armed thugs below. Then he began blowing their heads off mercilessly, taking out a good number of them faster than using the gay pistol at his side.
"While I keep these puppies busy," Shizuka said into the comms without much enthusiasm. "Can someone go and deal with the Hound?"
"Counterpoint here, I'm on it, just keep the others covered." Quentin answered back, now on the move whilst his colleagues kept the paramilitaries of the Intimidation Unit occupied. Years of fighting and he was sick of it. Sick of seeing decent people hurt and sick of seeing these egotistical bastards with their moronic codenames - no, as much as he thought he sounded like an idiot with a hero complex, he was going to try his best to put an end to it.
"Copy that!" Cindy said.
The Black Hound continued his onslaught, a seemingly endless barrage of grenades aimed towards the vehicles, and the cover the RAVENS were hiding behind. People attempted to return fire, but the Hound was quick to retaliate with a grenade. He continued his rampage, with the intent of killing as many RAVENs and DOVEs as possible. He turned his eye on a certain DOVE who was otherwise preoccupied evacuating some of the remaining hostages... He didn't even need his scanners to know it was Reed Taylor. The Black Hound regretted this, but he has to appease the Blessed Three somehow.
He aimed the launcher at him, and fired off three grenades, one after the other in sequence.
It was the second blast that actually knocked the ex-cop off his feet, the third which tore through him with the resulting shrapnel. Reed gasped and screamed as the pain tore through him and when he rolled over, one could see the bloodied stump of meat and exposed bone, where his left had been moments before.
The grenades rained on the DOVEs and evacuating hostages, making the scene even more chaotic than it already was. Haruka was separated from his friends in all the confusion; he looked around to find a way to get out of here when he spotted a familiar figure not far away. Mr. Reed?
His relief soon turned to horror when he saw the Black Hound aiming his launcher at the agent.
He managed to intercept the first grenade with a wind blade before it could hit Reed, but his control was faltering for the subsequent grenades - he still hadn't fully recovered from overexertion of his power just now. Worse, some stray shots had hit him in the ass leg and the back of his shoulder from the DOVEs trying to shoot down the Hound.
"Mr... Reed..." Haruka dragged himself towards the injured agent with a hole in his left. It was a revolting sight to see exposed ribcage and burned flesh hanging off the hole, but to Haruka, nothing could get any worse than what he had experienced back in Verthaven. He remembered what Shizuka had told him about Reed's power. Maybe if he could let the agent absorb some blood from his gun wounds to help him recover a bit---
"...Get the fuck away from them!" Another, muffled voice could be heard from behind the Hound, moments before a slug was fired into the assassin's central mass.
The Black Hound turned around - barely bothered by the bullets - and faced his aggressor... The masked man from before, but he recognized that voice.
"...Quentin Taylor."
The Black Hound said, before leveling the grenade launcher at him with one hand, and fired it.
Quentin quickly made a dive for cover behind a reinforced armoured truck, before scrabbling back to his feet. He had to break from the Hound's line of sight, at least.
The Black Hound continued his onslaught by opening fire with the grenade launcher. Firing two more grenades at the armored truck as he paced towards it. This time, they managed to put a dent in the truck's side and rupture its fuel tank, spilling gasoline across the ground. When the Hound finally rounded the corner, Quentin was nowhere to be seen, until the veteran RAVEN popped out from behind the cover of a burning cruiser and opened fire with another series of successive slugs, this time aimed for the Black Hound's upper mass.
The burning wreckages negated the Black Hound's infrared vision, and he regretted letting Quentin Taylor get the drop on him. The bullet hit him in the side of the helmet, and there was an instant crackling of electricity as the slug dug into the helmet. His vision started distorting and he quickly he tore out his goggles, and crushed them in his hand. "...Clever." The Hound said. "Going have to do this the old fashioned way." The Black Hound quickly swapped the grenade launcher for the bulky machine gun, and gunned down Quentin's previous location with a barrage of bullets.
That, at least, forced Quentin to keep his head down as he scrabbled from cover to cover, hiding between the assorted burnt out husks and wreckages littering the parking lot as the rounds punched through. For a moment, the Hound heard what sounded like a pained grunt, then... nothing.
The Black Hound lost sight of Quentin... no matter. He's got another idea. He once again switched back to his grenade launcher, and started unloading the grenades on all the burning wreckages in the area - the ones that Quentin could have reasonably gotten behind, of course. Before he reloaded and slammed another shell into his grenade launcher.
Yet another shot rang out as the Hound was pre-occupied with reloading the launcher, but this one was again aimed for the Hound's upper mass. Quentin sluggishly emerged from behind one of the last cruisers, slower than before, but still on his feet - though someone who was paying attention could see the tears in the side of his vest and the gashes on his sleeves. Come on, come on.
The slug punched into the armor, and the Hound thought of why he was shooting wildly when it clearly wasn't working... Then he thought of some plan the man was coming up with. But what? Either way, the Hound turned his attention to Quentin and impulsively fired another quick grenade at him - the last one before his clip went dry again. He took steps towards Quentin as he slammed more shells into his clips.
Closer. Quentin thought, firmly racking the 870's pump action one more time. He fired off another shot, this one aimed at his central mass - Quentin hoped to at least throw off his aim if not outright forcing him to delay using the launcher, if only for a few seconds.
It's useless. The Black Hound thought to himself as the bullet disrupted his reload for a brief second, before he got annoyed and stepped over towards Quentin. "Give up..." The Hound said.
Ignoring him, Quentin's focus briefly drifted to the hard ground beneath the Hound's feet. Ground that was soaked with gasoline, courtesy of the armoured truck he'd damaged earlier, right where he wanted him. It was now or never - the veteran RAVEN grasped for one of the spare flares on his vest, twisted off the cap and struck it, unleashing a bright red spark, before finally tossing it at the assassin's feet and backpedalling.
Clever... fell for that again. The Hound thought to himself as he was ignited in flames for the second time. The flames quickly traveled up his clothes, and he was forced to toss away the grenades in his vest before they prematurely exploded. However, the Hound wasn't even finished. Despite being in flames, the Black Hound wasn't going to stop. He stopped at nothing, after all. The Black Hound tossed aside both the grenade launcher and machine gun, then pulled out a large combat knife and dove through the air straight at Quentin.
The assassin's reflexes were swift; there was barely a second to react before the Hound was at Quentin's throat. He swung his 870 forward in a frantic effort to block the first jab, then swung round again as the man closed in for another and retaliating by smashing the stock against the Hound's head with enough force to leave a crack in the polymer, only for the assassin to grasp and wrench it away from him with a firm blow that left a visible gouge in his vest.
On instinct, Quentin quickly reached for his sidearm but when he tried to level it the assassin firmly twisted his wrist until he was forced to drop it and smashed an elbow into the RAVEN's face, before following that up by slashing the blade across his side, leaving a gash that left him reeling.
Disarmed and bleeding, he found himself already struggling to keep up with the man's strength and stamina in the condition he was in, yet Quentin relentlessly pushed back with a ferocity that was only fueled from knowing of the Hound's responsibility for so many atrocities, the attack on his brother at the forefront of it all.
"You don't hurt my fucking family."
Another lunge with the knife and Quentin wrestled with the Hound for control over it, fighting for dear life until he realised he had one option. One thing the years with RAVEN had taught him was that there was no such thing as dirty fighting. Only doing what needed to be done, especially with someone like this. Quentin lurched forward and drove his fingers into the Black Hound's exposed eyes.
The Black Hound was quick to respond by jamming the knife into Quentin's exposed body, and leaving it there. He kicked Quentin back, and began to move in forward. "...Your family knew what they were getting into when they came here, Mr. Taylor," The Black Hound started off. "You'd have to be stupid to expect that everyone would leave here unharmed... don't let your altruism become idealism, Mr. Taylor."
Quentin clutched at the knife as he took a few staggered steps backwards. "Do you assholes... ever... shut the fuck up... about philosophy?" His words were laboured and inflected with pain, but he kept up a brave front.
"No." The Black Hound said as he lunged forward and grabbed Quentin by the neck with an iron grip and lifted him over his head.
Cass, Quentin thought, fingers clutching at the blade sunk deep into his gut. Wish me luck. His fingers tightened and pulled. Blood seeped from the open wound, into the ground beneath them. "Shame..." Quentin let off one last grunt as he drove the blade into the Hound's exposed eyes.
"...Heh." The Black Hound said as the point stabbed through the eye. It was enough to warrant the Hound dropping Quentin, and taking a step back. He grasped his wounded eye that was oozing a bright red blood... but otherwise was not showing any signs of pain. "I underestimated you yet again..." He took his hand off his eye, and then pulled the knife out. His other eye flashed a bright red color as he charged Quentin and swung the knife right at his throat.
"Don't care." The veteran RAVEN reached out to stop the blade, blocking its path with his hand. He growled hoarsely as the blade bit deep into his gloved palm, fingers stiffening as blood welled started to well between them, then sluggishly drove his knee against the assassin's mid-section in an effort to force him back.
The attack did nothing to the Hound, but annoy him - but, it did plenty to Quentin, weakened by his wounds. It threw him off balance, and the Hound was quick to shove Quentin Taylor to the ground and was quick to step over to him. He placed his foot on his head, and prepared to crush his skull underneath his feet...
When a lound blast rang out from across the parking lot. The other Taylor knelt, shrapnel wounds visible across one side of his body, one arm holding a shotgun whilst other supported he it by his forearm, the ruined stump of his hand still visible. Quentin's shotgun, the barrel smoking from where Reed had fired off a slug aimed for the upper half of the Hound.
The Hound was utterly caught off guard. Without his sensors he was unable to predict it. He whipped his head around to see the younger Taylor, the one he swore was heavily injured, holding a shotgun. The Black Hound had his eyes wide as he turned into an expression of rage, then was caught off guard yet again as Quentin used the last ounce of energy he had in him to twist at the foot planted against his skull, then scrabbled free of the bastard's reach, a thin trail of blood trailing behind him.
Realizing that Reed was out of ammunition, the Black Hound snapped his focus back to the elder Taylor, only he saw Quentin raising his own grenade launcher at him. Even with his reflexes and his speed, he never had a chance once the RAVEN squeezed the trigger, firing off a shell which exploded on contact with his armour.
The Black Hound was sent staggering backwards, dropping his weapon... while it didn't kill him... his rib cage was blown open, organs exposed, and oozing blood. It was a devastating blow that would leave anyone else dead. However, the Hound was still kicking. Hell, he was still standing, albeit lurched over, and holding his organs in. Breathing in a very hoarse manner. Before he started laughing... in a very pained manner.
"....Hahahahaha..." The Hound laughed, this time, his voice wasn't distorted by his helmet. It was the Black Hound's rather deep voice that was still intimidating regardless. "...You're a fine warrior... I'll give you that. Until next time, Mr. Taylor."
If one were to pay attention, his wounds were regenerating at a rapid rate. In a fashion that the Taylors were very familiar with. He pressed his earpiece, and said,
"...Zenith."
A portal opened behind him, and he fell backwards, and the portal quickly closed.
"...He defeated the Hound?" One of the RAVENS said, with a raised eyebrow, finally coming out from cover, but it didn't seem to matter to either of the Taylors. "He defeated the Hound!"
Quentin, exhausted from his wounds, collapsed against the ground once more, barely conscious. Reed quickly dropped the shotgun, sluggishly limped over to him as fast as he could and took a knee beside him, turning him over to find the deep stab wound where the Hound had stuck him with the blade.
"Stick with me Quent," the younger Taylor said with a frantic haste, placing his remaining hand over the wound and concentrating with all he had. "C'mon! C'mon!" His voice was pleading as he tried to stem the worst of the bleeding. "C'mon Quent, you bastard... don't pull this bullshit on me..."
"...Hey!" Cindy shouted through all the destruction as she ran up. "Shizuka took out his goons... Are you okay?!" She had to ask.
Shizuka was behind Cindy, a sniper rifle resting on his shoulder. "Holy," he breathed, surprised at the state the Taylors were in. Then into shock when he saw his own injured brother on the ground ahead and rushed to the fainted Haruka. "That idiot!"
"Get a paramedic!" Reed shouted back, still at work. First aid skills and his ability would only go so far... and things were looking bad.
"Alright, on the way!" Cindy shouted... before she looked around at all the injured people. Mentally noting them one at a time.
He needs a paramedic. He needs a medic, and HE needs a medic. Dear God, when does all of this ever end?
Before Cindy could finish, there was a massive bolt of lighting in the distance that caught Cindy to jolt because it was so bright. "What in the world...?" Cindy trailed off before her earpiece buzzed.
"...We have another problem: there is an electrokinetic Metahuman going on a rampage not too far away from your current position," Holly spoke into the comms.
Written in collaboration with @Zombiedude101 New Raygate, Prince Edfield.
There was a desperate push for the exit.
Wendy was leading the great escape towards the exit, and having little idea where in the hell that is. She was honestly just running, hoping for a way out of here - and hoping the group could outrun the terrorists. Wendy looked up, and saw a sign that said "LOBBY" and where's there's a lobby, there's an exit!
She took a sharp right and started running dead ahead... and she realized her mistake when she remembered that the lobby is most likely where they'll be focused. But - oddly enough - there wasn't a single person in the lobby. Wendy raised an eyebrow at the sheer convenience of it - the base was going into high alert and nobody was guarding the front door - but had no choice but to continue.
"Step aside," Jessica said as she broke out into an all-out sprint, and rammed the front doors of the building with so much strength that they broke open. She stepped back in with a cocksure grin, and tilted her hat at them. "C'mon, c'mon!" Jess said.
Wendy, Rowan and the rest of the escapees ran through the doors pursued by the Intimidation Unit.... except for Kai. Who stood in the doorway fearlessly. Her body had transformed into a clear ice that exposed her organs, and then it got real cold. The men opened fire, but Kiri created a massive layer of ice that quickly engulfed her and filled the opening. The ice spread from herself to the ground and ceiling (to the point where Undertakers were tripping over it).
The Undertakers were slamming the wall with bullets, before Kai merely detached herself from the wall, and took careful steps away towards Wendy's group.
Now that they were outside, all the escapees separated and pretty much adopted a "every man for themselves" mentality as the Undertakers were trying their best to capture them. At best, they were a distraction for Wendy's group, but it soon became apparent that there were others on their tail as a few other guards spilled out from the garage where they'd made entry earlier on.
Up ahead as they reached the exit of the compound was a sliding gate, still locked, with access to the control booth locked down tight. A few of the other escapees were already trying to break in, but Rowan simply reached out, tightened his palms and spread his arms as though he were tearing a piece of paper in half; only that piece of paper were the metal links of the fence, leaving a huge gaping space for people to spill through. "C'mon!" He shouted to the others, unwilling to push on ahead without them.
Wendy was the first to run on through, followed by Kiri, then Jessica and Rowan finally coming last. With the whole situation gone to shit, there wasn't much they could do for the other escapees other than hope for the best.
They hauled ass out of there.
Veronica Emily Davis, Makoto Koda, and....
New Raygate, Prince Edfield.
"... Well, damn it." Makoto said as the lights faded away.
Veronica slammed her foot onto the ground repeatedly out of sheer anger. They were humiliated by some random ass loser, and outsmarted by a tiny dyke. Nothing could quell Veronica's rage right now.
Makoto laughed a little bit, "Don't get so bent up over this, Ronica. Everyone has a bad day every now and then."
"But, we were given a job, Makoto," Veronica seethed. "You know what'll happen when we can't do that job...?"
Makoto rolled her eyes.
"... The Black Hound will kill us." Veronica finished.
"That's what I find so cute about you, Veronica..." Makoto said as she shook her head with a smile that flashed her white teeth. "... You're so dramatic. It's what makes you interesting..."
Makoto laughed, that made Veronica tempted to shove a knife in her throat.
"... Other than those big ol' tits of yours." Makoto teased as she walked by Veronica, that made Veronica lose it and flick a knife at Makoto. It pressed against Makoto's throat, and the Japanese woman merely raised an eyebrow.
"Come now, Ronica..." Makoto said, unworried as she teleported right behind Veronica. "...You know you like me." She said as she walked towards the compound.
"Be-sides," Makoto said as she looked over her shoulder, spinning her chain around. "You know that taking your anger out on me won't solve anything, so just relax.... I can definitely help you."
Makoto's right... she let her failures blind her. When she should be worrying about the success... and the inevitable fall of the Founding Family. She'll let those cockroaches go for now. She followed Makoto back inside the garage, and the first sight they were greeted with was the last one Veronica wanted to deal with. Going off of how everyone was bowing down to him.
Ezekiel.
Veronica rolled her eyes up into her head as she gazed upon his massive frame, crossing his arms.
"... Not only do we lose every candidate we have gathered here," Ezekiel said, his voice was stern, and disappeared. "But, you let some commoners sneak in, and catch you off guard. Some security you turned out to be."
He rolled his eyes. "Who was it? The Philosophers? The Coven?"
But, Veronica merely stood her ground, she put her hand on her hip. "We're assassins, Ezekiel." She looked at her nails. "We don't handle the security around here..."
Ezekiel grit his teeth at this whore's insolence. "... You're whatever the hell we say you are!" He said as he shot a wave of electricity in all directions. Veronica and Makoto loudly yelled in pain as they hit the ground, and so did the rest of the Intimidation Unit. While Veronica was recovering, Ezekiel stood over top of her, and grabbed her by the collar.
"Don't forget you wouldn't be nowhere if it wasn't for us," Ezekiel said, grabbing onto her collar. "We gave you the opportunity to be great, and this is how you repay us?"
Veronica was tempted to spit in his face if she wouldn't get electrocuted again.
"Now, refer to me properly." Ezekiel ordered.
Veronica was going to savor the moment she kills him, and destroys everything they know and love.
"... Lord Ezekiel."
"Good." Ezekiel let go of Veronica and stood straight up. "I want an immediate evacuation of this facility, we are going to torch this base, and nothing valuable better be inside when it goes up in flames."
"... Lord Ezekiel!" Ezekiel's secretary said as she sprinted inside the room. She knelt over, and said,
"... The intruders were in your quarters."
"What?!" Ezekiel shouted as he immediately turned around and ran down the hallway. Makoto and Veronica glanced at each other, and ran down after him.
Ezekiel had kicked the doors of his quarters, and ran over to the library as his secretary, Makoto, and Veronica came charging in the room behind him. Ezekiel barely even paid them attention as he quickly shuffled through his library. "No, no, no!" Ezekiel said as his hands grazed over the empty space where his books should be. "My notes...." Ezekiel said.
"... WHERE ARE MY NOTES?!"
You see, Ezekiel had hidden his notes, and other sentimental items, hidden inside his bookshelf. His strategy was to hide it in plain sight, as he didn't fully trust the rest of the Blessed Three. How did they know where his notes were?
"Who..." Ezekiel tightly clenched his fists, they were arcing with electricity. He was shaking, his teeth was chattering as he resisted releasing all of that anger inside of him. "... Who was it?! Was it the Philosophers! Don't tell me it was the Verschlinger's bastards!"
"We do not know sir," Ezekiel's secretary bowed down as she apologize.
"Ugh! Useless! All of you!" Ezekiel shouted as the electricity got even more intense, to the point where Makoto and Veronica simply left the room before they got infused with another painful jolt of electricity.
Ezekiel walked over to his dresser, and pulled out a device.
"Thankfully! I have my notes bugged with a tracer!"
Ezekiel was pointed in a specific direction, and he marched after it.
"My lord Ezekiel!" The secretary said as she ran alongside Ezekiel. "Where are you going?!"
"Since my employees have suddenly become useless, I'm getting back my notes one way or another." Ezekiel said as he pushed his secretary aside.
"Wait, Lord Ezekiel!" The Secretary said. "Don't! I'll arrange for the Black Hound, or Veroni-"
"Enough!" Ezekiel discharged electricity towards the secretary and knocked her unconscious as the electricity made her tremble. He marched on like nothing happened until he made it through the front doors of his building.
Electricity was sparking off him as he marched on towards the bastards who stole his notes.
i
Wendy Emily Lucker & Rowan Campbell.
Written in collaboration with @Zombiedude101 Courtbridge, Prince Edfield.
The girl had ran all the way to Courtbridge (which wasn't that far away, actually). Finally regrouping in an alleyway.
"Woooo..." Jessica loudly groaned as she had her hands on her knees. "... That was... something else. Honestly. Nice jailbreak, sweetheart."
"Still wonderin' how you pulled it off?" Jessica said.
Then she wondered if she should tell Jess of her accomplice. "... I tracked Diana's phone here."
Having absolutely no idea how phones work, Jessica just shrugged.
"So.... that's how you knew... right?"
Rowan was still at the side of them, out of breath. His ribs were aching worse than before and his throat was burning a little, exacerbated from the all the running against the doctor's earlier advice. But it was worth it - he'd saved Wendy's friends. Just not her sister.
"Right."
"What now?" Kai chimed in, putting her hands in her pockets.
"First, we contact RAVEN, DOVE, and whoever the hell else and tell them everything that happened." Wendy raised a finger. "Then I'm going to find Diana regardless of how many bases I have to knock over."
Jessica grinned. "I'm with ya'," She laughed despite all the stress. "Think we oughta' get a move on... I was never a fan of big city alleyways." She tilted her hat.
"Yeah, before they catch up," Wendy spoke, before she began walking over towards the street, with the intent of walking her ass out of here. "Let's go somewhere with a lot of witnesses... I think the Orchestra Mall isn't that far awa-"
When Wendy turned the corner, she caught eye of a very tall, blond, man wearing one of the fanciest suits she has ever seen. He stood in her way, with his hands in his pockets. He gave them a stern look that just told Wendy "trouble." He pointed at Wendy.
"... You four?" Ezekiel raised an eyebrow. "Are you all the Verschlinger's lapdogs?" He asked. Before his face contorted into subtle rage. His arms had arcs of electricity bouncing off them, and he took a step forward.
Then Wendy took a step backwards, terrified. "... I don't know who that is!" She said, honest to God.
Ezekiel hung his head for a moment and laughed. "... Very well then." He raised his head with a slasher smile that made Wendy double-take. Now even more electricity began to aura off the gigantic man.
In a sudden movement, Ezekiel pulled his hands out of his pockets, and clawed his fingers as he swiped them across the air. A parking meter was ripped out of the ground, and sent flying towards the center of the group, only it halted mere inches away, crumpling like a train crashing into a mountain as Rowan exclaimed and raised his arms to shield them, palms shaking.
Wendy screamed, before she stopped when she realized Rowan was helping them.
"Huh?" Ezekiel said, raising an eyebrow. "So, you're a metal manipulator? A magnetic-type?"
The scrawny teen didn't answer or even acknowledge the question, instead dropping the meter to the side and staring at him with a mixture of fear and uncertainty racing through his mind.
"Silent type, eh? No matter..." Ezekiel said as the electricity around his hands intensified. "... I'll make you scream!" He pointed both hands at them and fired a bolt of electricity, laughing like a madman.
Wendy thought fast and put both hands out and absorbed as much of the electricity as she could. She was shaking because she never absorbed this much at one time before, she was almost brought to her knees but she remained strong.
Kai turned into ice, and fortunately, ice doesn't conduct electricity (but she certainly melted a little). However, Jessica was electrocuted, and fell down to the ground.
Ezekiel didn't let up on his offensive, began floating in the air, and put his shoulder forward, and the electricity surrounded him as he launched himself forward like a cannon... straight for Rowan.
There was barely any time for him to get out of the way, yet as Ezekiel reached within a few meters' proximity of Rowan, a sudden crack could be heard as the man's electrical charge recoiled off the scrawny teenager's own electromagnetic field. Rowan tripped in the midst of the chaotic glow and hit the ground with a thud, yelping with pain as he felt his already bruised ribs being smashed against the asphalt.
"Annoying." Ezekiel said as his attack got utterly deflected. So he knows that the boy and the girl has electromagetic abilities. He could sense it. Which makes them his priority. Ezekiel raised his foot up into the air over Rowan, and prepared to stomp on him, but...
Wendy had stepped in and had used electricity to propel a can at Ezekiel's face. The rusty can had scraped his face enough to draw blood, and he grazed his hand over his face. "You insolent whore!" Ezekiel shouted as he turned his attention to Wendy and charged her with immense speed, his shoulder smashed against her chest at high-force and made the girl fall backwards and shout in pain as she hit the ground.
"Wendy!" Jessica shouted as she reached out to Wendy.
"Leave her alone!" Another voice, Rowan's called out, seconds before a can of aerosol paint was sent flying towards Ezekiel's direction.
It was a simple exertion of his ability to stop it dead in it's tracks. Ezekiel took a step back as Jessica threw a haymaker at him, and he put his hand out and electrocuted her to the point where she fell down again.
Ezekiel spoke as he reached into his suit and pulled out a pocketwatch. "I was holding back.... up until now that is..." He wiped the blood off his cheek..
Electricity surrounded every ferromagnetic object in the vicinity. From cars, to random trash cans. Then they began to float up in the air - every car in the street included - like they were weightless.
Wendy shivered in fear as the vehicles began to float. Even from here, she could feel his power and oh God it was immense. She had to think fast... and realized that nothing metal or electricity would bother this man. A hand reached into her satchel, and touched a piece of paper, which traveled up her arm and turned the rest of it into a white paper.
"... You see, you never had a chance to begin with," Ezekiel said as he adjusted his suit collar slightly. "... Because you were never on my level."
He flicked his finger - but Wendy had created a paper airplane made out of paper she had compacted together and sent it right for his eyeball. Ezekiel's strength was focused on holding the the cars up that he didn't have any time to react.
The paper airplane hit him dead center in his iris with surprising accuracy, and utterly embedded itself in his eye. Ezekiel let out a loud cry of pain as he grasped his eye and thrashed around. All the metal he was manipulating fell to the ground in a cacophony of chaos. Car alarms were set off, and it was a nonstop barrage of metal hitting concrete.
Wendy had to sigh... That was one hell of a gambit, but he left himself open there. But, there was one thing that came to mind,
"... Run!" Wendy said as he hopped up to her feet and ran like hell away from Ezekiel, whilst Rowan and the others soon followed suit,
If they weren't on his level, then why bother?
By the time Ezekiel had recovered, they were gone... but, he wasn't going to give up despite all this pain he was experiencing. He wasn't going to let a child get the best of him here of all places.
He took his hand off his bleeding eye after ripping the paper airplane out. He began marching after the four.
Wendy and her gang were hauling ass away from Ezekiel, praying to God that they could break the line of sight. Where's RAVEN? Where's the police? They can't defend Courtbridge on this Tuesday night? Wendy kept running, but then she looked behind her and... Oh God....
It was Ezekiel pacing after them, covered in an electrical aura that made people haul ass away from him.
That was just motivation for Wendy to pick up the pace. The group ran across the street right as it was turning red, and prayed that it would slow the bastard down. It didn't. Not one bit. He merely walked out in the middle of the street like there was no threat.
A car was about to crash right into Ezekiel, the driver slammed on the horn - but with a swipe of his hand, Ezekiel sent the car careening towards the group. It crashed into the building right in front of them, going through the concrete, and killing the driver on impact.
Wendy and her group had to stop or else they would have gotten killed. Okay... if he was able to redirect a speeding vehicle like that, then he has to be a real heavy hitter. There was no way Wendy could take him on directly, he was simply too powerful. But, at the same time, he's relentlessly pursuing them to the point where they have little options. They have to come up with something.
Every man has his limits.
Ezekiel bled just like the rest of them, that's why he freaked out so much when Wendy stabbed him in the eye, and when she scraped his cheek with a can. That means they can catch him.
"Guys," Wendy said as she watched Ezekiel approach them. "I have an idea..."
He was getting closer. There was something else off here, but Wendy couldn't tell why he wasn't hitting them from this distance. She would have to take advantage of it.
"There's a park around here - I'd know because I took pictures of every angle of this place - but that isn't important right now," Wendy said. "Let's all split up, and regroup at the park, luring him there." She then pointed in the direction of it.
She prayed to God that she could make this work.
Rowan looked ready to argue with her logic, but with the man on their tails there wasn't any time to complain. "Okay, just make sure you get there."
And like that, they dispersed.
When they all split up, save for Wendy, Ezekiel was quick to look at his tracker... She has it. Which makes this easier. Just kill her, take his notes back, and then head back to the Founding Family's headquarters. Ezekiel would have to be careful, if he gets carried away, then he'll damage his notes. He put the tracker back into his suit pocket and cracked his knuckles.
Wendy was trying to see what he'll do next.
Ezekiel broke off into short choppy steps before taking long steps. He began to float up into the air and tried to charge Wendy with his shoulder again. Wendy was prepared this time, and she turned into paper, and scattered herself as far as she could.
"Huh?" Ezekiel looked around, he pointed his fist at a mass of the paper scraps, getting ready to fire a bolt of lightning... "Wait!" The electricity dispersed right as he realized he may destroy his notes. He would just have to follow them....
... They all went in separate directions.
Right when Ezekiel looked down at his tracker... and the signal was dead. He crushed it in his hand in irritation, before he charged after the nearest scrap.
That girl will have to reform eventually....
Rowan didn't stop running until he felt himself forced to catch his breath once again. His chest was pounding so hard that he could feel as though his head were pulsating in rhythm, his aching ribs burning as he stopped to lean against a park bench, if only for a second.
That man could do the same things that he could've and more. Being overshadowed and overwhelmed like that was a mind screw, a terrifying one at that - it left him feeling in a way that he hadn't felt since his childhood days, dealing with the old man standing over him.
Despite it all, he was still worried about Wendy - that asshole had gone after her. Even though he'd knocked him down, Rowan was stubborn enough to just keep picking himself back up, no matter what. He wasn't the old man. Nobody would make him afraid like that, never again.
Especially not with a friend like her at stake. He could only hope they'd meet up soon, in one piece.
Sucking down another breath of air, Rowan shrugged off the ache as best as he could, before continuing down the path towards the park, when all of a sudden he felt a strange, metallic tingling sensation that seemed to tug at him from a particular direction.
Wendy? He thought, before setting off to find out.
Flying through the air until she had to catch her breath, Wendy reformed right in the park. In a pathway. She didn't know where he was, but she knew he was going after her specifically. Perhaps she can lead him away, or... No, Wendy, have to stick with the plan. Wendy had to remind herself. "The Plan" being drag out this confrontation long enough for this maniac to leave them alone.
"... Found you!" Ezekiel charged in shoulder first, before swinging his arm around in a wide "hook" motion. Wendy turned into paper and dove off to the side, and made Ezekiel whip around and direct his fist at her, and fired a stream of electricity.
Wendy had put her hand out, and immediately absorbed the electricity to activate her electrokinesis... but, Ezekiel wasn't letting up for a second. Wendy had no choice but to continuously absorb the energy.
Oh God, I'm going to ash at this rate... Rowan, Jess, somebody... help!
Wendy silently called out.
Jessica and Kiri were holding hands as they were hauling ass to the park. The bastard wasn't on them... which gave them a little bit of breathing room. Jessica put her hands on her knees, and started panting. "Jesus, Kiri," Jessica said before huffs. "When Diana suggested we head up to Washington, I never expected any of this."
"Strange things happen." Kiri was quick to reply.
"Yeah, but..." Jessica then stood straight up and scratched the back of her neck. "... Nevermind. What we gotta worry about is getting Diana back from the Hound."
They heard a cracking of electricity.
"Wait... is that?" Jessica said, before breaking out into a sprint. "C'mon, Kiri!"
Can't take it...
Wendy thought to herself as she was being loaded with so much energy that she couldn't possibly take much more. Was this man a living powerplant? She never encountered such a powerful Metahuman before... Electricity began to pour out of Wendy, dancing across her skin. She risked ashing if she absorbed anymore, so she had to quickly discharge it.
In a desperate attempt, Wendy pointed her hand at Ezekiel, and fired a bolt of lightning at him. Which forced him to go from overloading her with electricity, to absorbing it right back. Before he absorbed all of it effortlessly.
"... I'm surprised," Ezekiel crossed his arms. "You have so many powers... Paper, and electricity. You have to be a replicator."
As he made his evaluation, the man remained unaware as from behind him came a broken tree branch clumsily swung towards him.
Ezekiel was caught off guard by the branch slamming into his back. He groaned and turned his head around towards Rowan. Of course... the rats come to defend each other. Ezekiel thought to himself. But no matter.
He whipped around with his elbow coated in electricity, driving it into the teen's face, roughly knocking him down as the electricity arced in a sphere around the two of them.
Ezekiel ignored him for now and focused on Wendy - who had already launched her counter-attack, sending a barrage of batteries flying right for Ezekiel's face. It was elementary, because all he had to do was wave his hands across and his superior control overpowered hers - and the batteries came to a stop.
Each of the batteries were crushed and dropped to the ground oozing battery acid.
Before Ezekiel could kill Wendy, spray of ice came from behind and hit Ezekiel in the back. He let out a hoarse cry as his back was frozen, and began shivering as he fell down to his hands and knees.
"Everyone, hit him at once!" Wendy shouted, before she grabbed a piece of paper and switched back to her paper manipulation. She condensed paper together to form thick paper airplanes that were as threatening as a pocket-knife.
Meanwhile, Jessica had grabbed a rock, and threw it at Ezekiel powered by her strength. Which was enough to pierce through a car door. Well, if this bastard's slingin' lightning, then Jessica has no reason to hold back.
While on the ground, Ezekiel was loudly growling, growing more and more intense, until Ezekiel let out a loud yell. Which was drowned out by the thunderous crash of electricity as he shot a massive bolt of lightning up into the sky. The blinding light was too intense that it would cause eye damage if you stared into it for too long.
When the light faded, Ezekiel was loudly panting... his shirt was burnt off by the electricity, and he had many burns on his upper body. His pants were perfectly in tack... but, now, he was getting pissed off.
He was channeling his electromagnetism deep underground. The ground was violently shaking as the earth split. The lamp posts around the area were torn out of the ground, as the ground finally gave up and the pipes and deep plumbing were ripped out of the ground.
"Leave us alone!" Rowan's voice yelled from behind and at that, Ezekiel could feel the metal being pulled from his grasp, as the scrawny teenager made a desperate attempt to exert his own will against it.
Electrical energy arced and crackled as it formed into an electromagnetic tug-of-war between the two metahumans.
"... And the only way to get Ezekiel to calm down is to get his notes back."
The Foundation Woman spoke to Makoto and Veronica on the comms as the two ran down the street. Following the trail of destruction that Ezekiel had left.There were sirens everywhere... so they were following the trail of destruction. Veronica didn't want to be the one that retrieves Ezekiel during his hissy fit, but she seems to be the only one that could.
"Copy that." Veronica said rolling her eyes.
"At this rate, even if they don't connect the Family to him, Ezekiel will be branded a nation-wide criminal for going on a rampage through downtown." The Foundation Woman said. "I don't care about the brats he's going after..." She trailed off for dramatic effect. "... Just get him back into a base before he digs us a hole we can't get out of."
"Yeah, yeah," Veronica said. "I'll carve 'em up if they get in my-"
They were stopped by the giant bolt of lightning piercing the sky. They both stopped, and stared at it in awe for a moment.
"... I get the feeling he's there." Makoto said as she started running towards him.
Ezekiel was exerting his electromagnetic will on the metals he was pulling out of the ground. The boy was strong, he'd give him that, but Ezekiel was Blessed with such amazing abilities that would make even armies tremble. He could hear one of the girls running up from behind him, and Ezekiel laughed.
"... I am a God!" Ezekiel loudly shouted before he yanked the metal out of Rowan's control. and sent a lamppost swinging behind him. Jessica was trying to sneak in a hit, one hit, that would end this damn fight once and for all, but the lamppost was so damn sudden that it caught her off guard. It hit her square in the ribs, and sent her flying into a tree so hard that she went through it.
Jessica began coughing blood.
"... Okay, got a lung collasped there." Jessica hoarsely said as she tried to force herself to her feet, but to no avail. Kiri tried shooting another blast of freezing mist at the man, but all she got in return was a painful bolt of lightning. She let out a scream of pain as she shook violently, falling face forward when her body couldn't take anymore.
"One by one, your friends fall!" Ezekiel said. "You're going to regret stealing my notes, you whore!"
"... Stealing?" Wendy said to herself.
He sent an utter barrage of objects at Wendy with no care that he would damage his notes. Pipes, lamp posts, and whatever the hell else he could get his hands on.
A gasp escaped Wendy's lips as she turned into paper and flew high off as she could. Reforming high up into the air, she used her ability to cancel her weight and flow like paper. She looked over her shoulder, and the pipes impaled the trees and dirt around. Causing so much damn destruction
When she turned around, Ezekiel was rushing her through the air, shoulder-first. It was a mixture of reflex and instinct that caused her to turn back into paper and regain her weight as she hit the ground. She looked back up, and saw Ezekiel floating down. She could see him grit his teeth.
Okay, her plan to drag this fight out until Ezekiel gets tired isn't working... He's just too damn powerful for them to last against. But then came Rowan, stubborn fool trying to come up from behind when the scrawny kid reached into his bag. As the man turned, ready to smack him down, the scrawny teen pulled out a can of aerosol paint and squeezed on the nozzle, aiming its projected contents at his face.
Ezekiel grabbed his face, and let out a loud yell as the contents sprayed his face... and he looked at his hands and they were covered in yellow paint. This... worthless... child.... sprayed him with paint.
Ezekiel couldn't help but break out in laughter.
Loud maniacal laughter.
It was disturbing to both Wendy and Rowan. While he was laughing, he was pulling out a small pipe that he had previously attempted to kill Wendy with out of the ground, and sent it flying at Rowan at speeds that were a blur,that nobody could've properly reacted to.
Instead, the scrawny kid had barely a second to mitigate the damage it could've done, but it came in all the same like a ton of bricks and speared him through the side, leaving him at Ezekiel's mercy.
"Rowan!" Wendy shouted as she put her hand out... wait. She was coming about this wrong the whole time. She pulled her satchel out as Ezekiel walked over to Rowan, and pulled out the books she took.
"Now..." Ezekiel said as he grabbed onto the pipe that was firmly embedded in Rowan, eliciting a pained yelp, and then turned back around to see Wendy pulling out the books she stole. He stared at Wendy with eagle eyes as he clenched his fist with rage. "My notes..." He pointed at the First Edition Copy of Lord of the Rings where he had hidden his notes. "... Give them to me!"
His eyes went wide with rage.
Wendy noticed his anger, and had to stay strong. "... No." Wendy quickly said, and held the LoTr book up high. "Don't hurt Rowan or I'll destroy this book! And don't underestimate me, I can restore books that have been ruined beyond belief... Imagine what I can do if I do the opposite...?"
Ezekiel raised his fist, which was shaking with rage, and crackling with electricity. "... You whore!" He seethed in between breaths, spitting out a cloud. "If you touch my notes..."
Then Ezekiel realized what was at stake here. This child is certainly a powerful one, and could definitely surprise him. And nothing he can do to these kids can bring it back. It was a matter of whether or not he could dispatch her without damaging the book, and without her destroying it at the first sign of hostility?
That was when the rage-prone Ezekiel used his head. He dispersed the electricity and took steps away from Rowan, towards Wendy, and put his hands in his pockets.
"Fine, child," Ezekiel said. "If you safely return my notes to me, I'll spare you and your friends' lives...." He gave her a look of sheer detest, but Wendy wasn't afraid.
"Fine." Wendy said.
"Just leave it on the ground, and walk away from it," Ezekiel calmly ordered, and Wendy complied. Leaving it on the ground, and Ezekiel walked up, grabbing it, and shifted through the notes to ensure everything was in order, and the contents weren't even touched. He scoffed.
"... Maybe next time, you shouldn't go taking what doesn't belong to you," Ezekiel said as he felt calm. He merely walked past Wendy, getting what he wanted. "I'll spare you this time, but if you dare cross me again...." He looked over his shoulder at Wendy. "... Make no mistake, I will kill you."
That's the second time I received such a threat today.... Wendy trailed off mentally as she kept her eyes on Ezekiel... but, while he was shifting through the pages, something fell out of the book. Like a photo. While she was worried about Ezekiel, she wanted to know what it was.
She quickly used her paper manipulation to will the photo over to herself, and quickly absorbed it into herself before Ezekiel turned his head.
Wendy quickly ran over to Rowan as he dropped to the ground, and realized the severity of his wounds. He was impaled. He was fuckin' impaled! "Shit, Rowan, I'll get you a medic!" Wendy said, before she looked up to see some flashlights.
It was the BPD, she could tell from the uniform and badges.
"... Do you kids need some help?"
After expressing his rage, Ezekiel had little reason to continue his rampage through Courtbridge. He casually scrolled out the front gates of the park, ignoring all the destruction. Because to him, getting his notes back was the only thing important to him. He would have questioned those kids about who they are... but, that's irrelevant to him - No, beneath him. He'll leave that to the Black Hound and his Intimidation Unit.
However... there was a little problem when he stepped out.
"Freeze!" The BPD had formed a line right outside the park, and aimed all manner of pistols and rifles at him like that was going to do something. Ezekiel looked to the left, then the right. Before he sighed.
"Get out of my way." Ezekiel said as he merely continued his march like it was nothing. "I'll slaughter the whole lot of you."
"I said freeze!" The BPD captain shouted again, and didn't get a single response from Ezekiel. "Open fire!"
The officers just let loose with pistols, shotguns, and assault rifles, a barrage of bullets that would kill anyone in mere seconds. However, the bullets came to a slow halt in the air before they even got close to Ezekiel.
"... Weak." Ezekiel rolled his eyes as he raised a finger in the air. That calmness was replaced with sheer lunacy as he swiped his hand downwards with the most maniacal smile, "... Get ready to die!"
The bullets were all launched back at the police officers at the same speed they were sent. A bloodbath followed as police officers were killed by the boatload, and their vehicles were filled with holes. Few officers were already taking cover... but at this point, they were just stalling for the fully equipped RAVEN to show up.
The few that weren't killed in the initial attack were swiftly wiped out when Ezekiel lifted up an armored truck, and sent it tumbling over the vehicles. Sending an organized police force into chaos as they desperately tried to get away from the rolling vehicle. Ezekiel stopped his rampage and continued marching-
"... Lord Ezekiel!" A familiar voice shouted in the distance as Ezekiel looked up to see Veronica and Makoto running up. Makoto in particular teleported right before the massive Ezekiel. Whom looked down on her.
"Did you retrieve your notes?" Makoto asked, smiling under the mask.
"No thanks to you." Ezekiel shoved her aside and kept marching, which made Makoto frown. She teleported back to him, and grabbed onto his arm, giving him a seductive look from under her ask.
"... My lord, Ezekiel," Makoto said with a smile. "You've gotten so angry today... don't you think it's time to relax?"
Ezekiel looked at her wordlessly.
"My, my, my, you know you have all your secretaries - and me - waiting for you in your quarters?" Makoto seductively said. "Come now, let's leave. There's nothing more for us here anyway."
Veronica floated over and pressed her earpiece.
"... Zenith."
And a portal opened behind her.
"... And Veronica can join us!" Makoto said as she lead Ezekiel into the portal.
"Wait, what-" Veronica tried to say before Makoto shoved her in.
RAVEN/DOVE West Coast Joint Headquarters, White Coast.
After the whole never ending shitstorm, Wendy was, of course, questioned.
She had her wounds patched up, and she wasn't super fond of electricity anymore. At all. She was hoping she'd never get struck by lightning, or anything else crazy ever again. But, here she was, in the RAVEN/DOVE Headquarters. Patiently sitting down in the interrogation room. It wasn't long before Cindy came in, and slammed a tall stack of papers on the table. She grabbed the chair, and dropped her plump behind down on it. She stared at Wendy with sharp eyes.
"...Okay, excuse my French..." Cindy started off. "...But, what the fuck did you get into?"
That swear was certainly poignant - it caught Wendy off guard because the girl only ever seen Cindy's professional side. Now... that demeanor had been replaced with a more urban attitude.
"Like - oh my God - in one day you get attacked by the Black Hound, and another maniac at night," Cindy's voice was utterly amazed. "Do you know what the hell stay put means?"
Wendy didn't answer that; she merely tapped her fingers against the table.
"So, care to explain how you got into this?" Cindy raised an eyebrow. "And I want the whole story, sweetheart. Because you just don't suddenly-" Cindy jazz hand'd. "-find two people that have been kidnapped by a super terrorist."
"Well... it started when I..." Wendy was going to make sure that she didn't give away her benefactor. The person on the other end of her phone was her best bet for finding Diana, and this night was enough to buy Wendy's allegiance. "...Tracked Diana's phone. It was nothing but a... murmur, but I picked it up."
"So you, a teenage girl, tracked a phone that professionals couldn't?" Cindy raised an eyebrow at the bullshit of that statement. "But, continue."
"Me and Rowan went to her last location, and it was this base-place... I don't know." Wendy shrugged. "We snuck inside, and explored the place until we found out where the hostages were being kept, and then got everyone free."
"Mhm..." Cindy groaned at the skepticism.
"After we got everyone free, we ran off, but then this tall dude with lightning powers... Ezekiel... yeah, that's his name, chased us down to the park and caused all this destruction. He... kicked our ass..." Wendy shamefully said as she scratched the back of her neck. "He pinned Rowan down, but I got him to leave us alone."
"How?" Cindy asked.
"...Well, while we were snooping around his base, I... helped myself to some of his books." Wendy awkwardly said. "...Who knew I'd run into a fellow bibliophile...? Heh..."
"Those books, give them up." Cindy said, doing a "gimme" gesture.
"What?! No, these books are like the rarest. In. The. World! They can't root in a evidence locker until the end of time! They-" Wendy immediately objected, but was cut off.
"Girl, I'm not playing around." Cindy said, before Wendy hesitantly put the books out of her satchel onto the table with tears welling up in her eyes. Cindy silently heard her whisper "Goodbye my friends."
That made Cindy roll her eyes up into her head before she looked at the books... and she just had to whistle. Some of these books were first edition. That shit was probably expensive as hell. While Cindy personally hated the notion of wasting thousands of dollars on books that you can buy for ten off Amazon, she could see some of the logic behind why they were so expensive. "Sorry, girl," Cindy said. "But, we have to comb these for evidence... finger prints and that jazz."
Wendy groaned as she let her face fall to the table.
"...Will there be a chance I'll get them back?" Wendy asked.
"We'll see..." Cindy trailed off, looking to the two-way mirror. "Now, we have to discuss you."
"Huh?" Wendy raised her head and looked at Cindy.
"Don't take this the wrong way, sister, but I know you're hiding some very crucial details from me," Cindy started off. "And if you want me to help you, then you have to tell me."
...Maybe because I don't want you to help me. Wendy thought to herself, laced with scorn. The quick thinker was fast to reply with, "I told you everything."
Cindy sighed, and shrugged.
"Alright, then," Cindy closed her eyes. "As of now, you are on indefinite lockdown, Wendy."
"...W-what?!" Wendy said.
"You get into a fight with the Black Hound, raid a complex like you're in fuckin' Mission Impossible, and then get chased across Courtbridge... you are getting into way too much trouble, and for your own safety, you're going to stay in the Academy." Cindy said.
Wendy slammed her hands on the table. "...You can't do this!"
Once again, Cindy had to shrug. "I can, and I honestly have to."
Wendy groaned... she'd never find Diana at this rate. But, this just meant she'd have to be a lot more stealthy. Nothing was going to stop her from getting her sister back safe and sound... and she was going to get the books back even if it would kill her!
"Fine." Wendy crossed her arms and pouted. "Is that all?"
Cindy pressed her nail up against the table.
"I guess so." Cindy said.
"Can I see Rowan?"
"He's just getting out of surgery... I arranged for one of my co-workers to heal him... but, you can see him."
"Okay."
Rowan lay slumped against the bed, hooked up to a drip in a hospital gown, an oxygen mask still fastened over his face. The anaesthesia hadn't yet worked its way out of his system and so he could only barely hold consciousness, but he was able to stir just enough as he made out the faint figure of Wendy.
"Hey..." Wendy said as she stepped in, and realized he was probably high off anesthesia, and looked off to the side at Cindy.
The scrawny kid tried to mouth something, but it came across as mumbled. Clumsily, he reached up to tug it aside and only halfway succeeded. "Hiii..."
Yep, he was a little high off the meds.
"How's... my scar?" He said with a drunken tone.
Wendy peered over, and his entire shoulder was wrapped in bandages.
"... It's lookin' great, actually." Wendy was quick to reply.
"Niice.. should go with the others... old man woulda' been jealous!" He said, with the same stupoured tone.
"I... came to see if you're okay, and so you can know I'm alright, too."
"I'm glad you are... honest." Despite being high on account of the medication, the sincerity in his tone was there. "Worth the scar, too."
She was glad to hear about Rowan's optimism, but that didn't help her knowing that he got hurt again on her behalf. She didn't want to ever see Rowan hurt again. She almost cried, but she kept it in.
Cindy had caught the tears in Wendy's eyes, and loudly coughed.
"... I think it's time that you head back to the Academy," Cindy said to Wendy, pushing the girl out of the room slowly. "He needs to rest, at least until my co-worker is ready to heal him."
"... Bye, Rowan." Wendy somberly said.
"Bye... but don't start the fun without me next time."
After meeting Rowan, Cindy put Wendy in a DOVE vehicle, and sent her ass back to the Academy. The car ride was dull, and full of worry, because Wendy was starting to feel the guilt of dragging Rowan into this yet again. She merely laid down on her back, and looked at her phone just to pass the time. She wondered where Jessica and Kai were... probably getting the hell out of Headquarters. Wendy would have to carefully plan her next move.
Then her phone buzzed.
My apologies. Ezekiel coming after was so utterly out of my calculations that I had no idea how to help you. I didn't plan for you to leave the base without Diana, and I sure as hell didn't plan for that.
Wendy raised an eyebrow.
Just who is Ezekiel?
He's one of the Blessed Three... one of the three people who have supreme control over the Founding Family. He was chosen for the position because of his "superior genes." He's mentally unstable, and lacks self control. But, that's just apart of another problem.
...Which is?
Your sister is still being held by the Founding Family, which means you're going have to go deeper into this rabbit hole to get her back.
Wendy was wondering where this person was going with this...
And it's become apparent to me that your current abilities aren't going to cut it if you're going up against the likes of the Black Hound and Ezekiel... you're going to need stronger abilities.
Stronger abilities? Wendy had to curiously ask herself. She had to text back,
Like what?
Your mentor's, Lihua Zhao's, power for starters. Her ability is so strong that the FF fears her skill and experience... while you're never going to be able to match it, it can still be useful.
Wendy recalled Ms. Zhao's demonstrations of her ability. The way she bends stone was so precise and dangerous that Wendy and the others could only stare in awe... But could Wendy utilize that strength?
There's a few RAVENS that you could sap powers from. Samson Jeross, his phoenix abilities are also top-tier, but not essential. I'd say Hector Jeross' energy crystal ability would be more helpful. But, the odds of them handing their powers over to you are slim, so you'll have to be realistic here.
There's a man in Baybridge with a similar goal to you... Malik Jakane. Who demonstrates some impressive abilities to turn into a storm, and manipulate it's effects. It could be incredibly useful to have in your arsenal.
In addition, you're going to want to practice fighting. The Founding Family are slowing down activities for a period, and you should do the same to train yourself. When you are ready to continue, message me.
Wendy nodded her head and replied.
I'll give it my all.
But, the next text was disconcerting.
Don't take too long, and at the same time, don't come unless you are ready.
Wendy nodded her head again, as she prepared for her mission of self-improvement for the sake of Diana. But, then there was something that Wendy just remembered. From her encounter with Ezekiel... the moment where he had taken his notes back and stormed off had flashed in the back of her skull. When that photograph fell out and Wendy absorbed it into herself just out of sheer curiosity. She put the phone aside, and put her palm face up.
She had willed the photograph through her body, and made it pop out of her hand. Then she stared at it.
It was... like... a family photograph taken in a year that Wendy didn't know. There was a bunch of kids bunched up together, smiling and with her arms wrapped around each other as they faced the photographer. With a rather curvy woman in the background that looked aged enough to be their mother.
What was notable was that one of the kids looked exactly like a younger version of Ezekiel - in fact, they all looked like they were siblings.
Her mouth opened, jaw slacking slightly as she came to realize something...
RAVEN/DOVE West Coast Joint Headquarters, White Coast
There was a great deal of annoyance in Meifeng. Whether it's because she was just attacked by her mother's creepy stalker (that probably just wanted to rape her), or the fact that the bastard got a few hits on her. Either way, she was getting patched up in the infirmary. Ugh. She couldn't even look. The nurses were wrapping her acid burns - that were definitely going to scar - up with bandages, after the proper medical treatment has been applied, of course. She was just sitting on a stool with her arm out. Only because she decide to omit Jade's healing because shit went down tonight.
It wasn't long before Cindy stepped in with a clipboard in hand. "Where were you? I was trying to call you!" Cindy said.
"Well, between fighting a psychopath, and making sure my little sister was safe..." Meifeng said just as the last bandages were applied and the muscular woman flexed her arm a little bit. "You can say I was a little tied up."
"So, who were you fighting?" Cindy said.
"Jiang," Meifeng said with venom, "He came to kill Lihua, but he found me instead... ran the bastard off myself."
"Well, I can't stay mad at you over that," Cindy said, shrugging. "I'm just glad you and Lijuan are okay."
"If I wasn't busy with that, I would have loved to help with the Hound," Meifeng said, putting her hands on her knees. "So, mind telling me what exactly happened?"
"Well..." Cindy began her explanation, and Meifeng patiently listened to every last detail. "...Quent drove him off, but he and Reed took a beating... they'll be out of action for a little bit."
"Damn..." Meifeng trailed off, snapping her fingers out of sheer detest for the Hound. "...But, you know what this means, right?"
"No?"
"It just means he's going to get a lot bolder," Meifeng said. "He probably won't pull the same shit again, but that just means he'll pull a new card out of that sleeve of his."
"Like what?" Cindy said.
"Dunno," Meifeng shrugged. "It could be anything at this point. Since we know that the F-F have some very deep pockets if they can not only afford grade-A weaponry, but also give their forces some James Bond-villain level gadgets." She shrugged. "Next thing we know, they could pull out a doomsday device!"
"You're right... I'm still wondering what that yellow stuff is," Cindy said, "But, there's something you need to know; Lihua was in the mall."
"Shit, is she okay?" Meifeng said, immediately perking up.
"Well, during our plan to get her out, she fell unconscious, Jennifer pulled her out of there."
"Shit, Jen was there, too?"
"Yeah, but she's fin, so's Lihua. She's in one of the patient rooms recovering."
"I'm heading there right now." Meifeng hopped up to her feet and walked out the room, causing Cindy to facepalm.
"...You don't even know which room." Cindy groaned as she poked her head out the door.
After a brief conversation, Cindy had lead Meifeng to Lihua's room, and the woman was lying on a bed, with an oxygen mask attached to her face. Pumping a steady supply of oxygen into the old woman's lungs. When Meifeng entered, Lihua lifted her head up, and smiled. "Hello, Meifeng."
Her daughter waved as she looked off to the side to see Lijuan sleeping in some chairs. The little girl raised her head and looked at Meifeng, before lowering her head and going back to sleep.
"Yeah are you okay?" Meifeng said as she put her hands in her pockets.
"I am fine... The oxygen levels just got a little too low and I passed out... seems my body can't handle this like it used to." Lihua laughed, before she abruptly stopped when she noticed Meifeng's injuries. "What happened to you?"
"Jiang," Meifeng said. "He found you, but I drove him off."
Lihua's eyes opened, before she clenched her fist.
"Jiang... I'll kill him myself." Lihua said.
"Yeah, you'll kill him hospitalized," Meifeng said as she grabbed a seat next to Lijuan, and started playing with the child's hair as she sat down. "Look, Mom, you should leave this one to me." Meifeng said as she pointed a thumb at herself.
Lihua let out a sharp, "Hmph."
"But, there's another thing I want to talk to you about," Meifeng raised her head. "Jiang knows where you live now, that means you can't stay there."
"Like hell I'll let that bastard run me out of my own damn ho-"
"Yeah, and Jiang sneaks by in the middle of the night, and kills the two of you in your sleep." Meifeng crossed her arms and sighed. She loved this woman with all of her heart, but sometimes she can be so damn stubborn.
"...Can I chime in?" Cindy said, raising her hand for a moment, and Meifeng just nodded her head. "We can admit the two of you into the DOVE protection program until-"
"No." Lihua was quick to say, while her voice was muffled by the oxygen mask, her voice was stern, and clear. "I am not letting Jiang force me into hiding. I am going to take the fight to him... and kill him."
"C'mon, Ms. Zhao, you gotta-" Cindy tried to plead with her, only to get stopped by Meifeng.
"Cindy, it's no use," Meifeng shook her head. "That woman is a deadly mix of stubborn as shit, and prideful... you're never going to get to her."
Cindy sighed.
"Alright, then, I'll leave you two be." Cindy stepped out of the room, and beelined for the meeting room.
When Cindy left. Meifeng narrowed her eyes, and looked at Lihua.
"...Bohai's alive." Meifeng said to her in Chinese
That news made Lihua's eyes open up widely... her one true love, Bohai Zhou, alive? She thought that the man had died, and he's alive - before she could get excited, she raised her head and looked at Meifeng.
"How do you know this?"
"Jiang blurted it out when I was finished kicking his ass." Meifeng shrugged. "You know what this means, right?"
"Meifeng..." Lihua was quick to trail off. "As much as I love Bohai... we have to be realistic here. We cannot afford to go on a chase at this point. Especially when you are needed in Baybridge to protect it."
"...You're right." Meifeng said. "But, the fact of the matter is, I'm going to at least question Jiang before I kill him... if I can't, I gotta kill him."
A sigh escaped her lips.
"...We sure as hell can't have him running back to China when he knows so much about us now."
The thoughts made Lihua cringe. All Jiang has to do is bark about how "Qiaolian the Tyrant" was hiding out in America, and the Chinese government don't even have to lie. All they have to say is that she's a wanted war criminal, and there's no way in hell that they'll cover her ass. Her life is over. However, Jiang just has to die. The man's a fool, after all.
"I'll handle it. You can believe in me." Meifeng smiled. "But, I asked Jiao-Long for a favor...."
Oh God... What did she...? Lihua thought to herself as she thought about it.
"...Since you're hell bent on staying here and living your life as usual - the hard way - I figured that you might be safer at the Liu Estate. I told Jiao-Long everything, and he said he'll take you in as long as you need to."
Lihua sighed.
"...Jesus, woman," Meifeng hissed. "Swallow your pride for just one moment." She rolled her eyes up into her head. "... For her."
She faced Lijuan, and the child sleeping made Lihua's heart melt.
"...I'll... do it"
"Good, I'll have some agents provide backup while you get your things." Meifeng said as she got up. "I have a really important meeting to attend."
Greenflower Garden, Silver Hills.
After the little encounter with Meifeng, Lihua and Lijuan had went back to the Zhao household, and gathered all of their things. Before they went all the way up to the beautiful Greenflower Garden, and the gates opened for the two, and they were greeted with the Liu estate. A massive mansion that was two stories tall, but huge. It was square shaped, and had many, many, rooms. That were inhabited by the Liu family. Lihua walked up to the front door carrying like three bags, and Lijuan dragging along her cute little luggage bag. Lihua raised her fist to knock on the door, before she heard muttering behind the door. What caught her attention was "She's here!"
Oh dear... Lihua knocked on the door just one time before the doors swung open, and she had confetti thrown in her face. The woman was honestly caught off guard... and was greatly annoyed. When she brushed it all away, she saw Jiao-Long holding the door open, with his wife at his side, and all of his daughters standing behind him in some kind of pose. There was triumphant music.
"Oh, welcome, sister," Jiao-Long said in English with a wide smile on his face. "We welcome you into the Liu household."
Lihua's eye twitched. She just stood there, in utter disbelief.
And that was the point where Jiao-Long and his daughters started laughing. "Come in, come in," Jiao-Long said as he stepped over, and grabbed some of the bags. "...That's just how we welcome people into the Liu household."
Kill me.
Haruka & Shizuka Takashiro.
DOVE/RAVEN Joint West Coast Headquarters, White Coast_
"I'm fine. Really," Haruka sat up on his bed and said to his twin, who continued to ignore him and simply concentrated on making more apple bunnies (which he had lined them up neatly in a bento box filled with some salt water). "My room isn't for you to hide from your work, Shizu."
"...Shut up, dumbass," Shizuka finally sighed after he placed the last apple bunny in the box and snapped down the lid. He then eyed his brother's arm sling and leg cast with a narrow look. "This time you get away with only shoulder and leg injuries, but stop pushing your luck - you'll run out of that someday."
The Takashiros were in one of the private rooms; Shizuka had probably pulled some strings to get one for his twin instead of being crammed into the common rooms with the other casualties from the hostage incident. Haruka glanced at his brother. Shizuka's crazy plan did manage to save almost all the hostages, surprisingly - sans a handful from stray gunshots and chaotic scrambles away from the Black Hound's grenades - but at the cost of substantial loss of DOVE and RAVEN agents.
He wondered if his twin would be alright - he believed that Cindy and the Taylors wouldn't put all the blame on him, but what about the rest of DOVEs and his RAVEN colleagues?
"I know what you're thinking," Shizuka began as he sat down on the chair beside the bed. "Don't worry about me - I'm prepared for whatever bullshits they're going to throw at me later during the meeting." He let out a sarcastic laugh. "In fact, they would thank me instead... if they truly understand what's at stake."
"But---"
"The Hound wanted Dr. Cross and the Mannequin in exchange for the hostages," Shizuka cut his twin off darkly, and that made Haruka drop his jaw in shock. The younger Takashiro then continued, "This isn't over yet - that dog's plan may have failed this time, but he's going to bite back even harder and fiercer the next time."
"Yeah..." Haruka trailed off. Memories from the Verthaven disaster filled his mind's eye once more, then to his conversation with Jennifer. He probably shouldn't add on to Shizuka's workload with the anti-Metahuman church that Rori had mentioned. "Just... be careful."
"I know," was all Shizuka said in response, and he watched the grim expression on Haruka's face silently. While his brother still had the same worrywart personality, Shizuka didn't want to admit that his precious twin had matured - not just his power, but he could also see a quiet, unwavering strength in those eyes.
Even so, he couldn't bring himself to tell him about their missing mother. About Polaris.
... ...
Unknown to her husband and sister, Asami became a member of Polaris after graduating from university. She was recruited on her first diplomatic trip to China. At first, Polaris had no interest in a powerless human like her, but they later changed their mind when they saw a potential in using her to gain control over Japan.
They even offered the greedy Asami a chance to gain superpowers for her loyalty... but the ritual failed.
No, the ritual didn't fail completely. The transferred Meta-energy was sapped from her by her unborn babies. Years of internal conflict tortured the poor woman's heart and mind - she was bitter at the twins for the failure. Why wasn't she chosen, but them?
In the end, it turned out that the twins showed no hint of superpowers whatsoever, and guilt of neglecting the boys proper family love started to make Asami break down her usual tough demeanor, but she didn't know how to pick up the broken pieces. She didn't know how to face her boys anymore.
Until the shock she got when she saw Shizuka at an Asian Metahuman Summit, representing the American agency RAVEN. Why is he here? It can't be... Pure fear began to overwhelm her, and she did the first thing that came to her mind.
To save her own self.
And so, she ran away from her family, from Polaris... from the fateful mistake that had been haunting her for two long decades.
... ...
The silence in the room continued to drag on as the twins were lost in their own thoughts, mulling over their own secrets they couldn't tell one another.
The meeting was something that nobody was looking forward to.
To address the elephant in the room, people had died during the raid. Not just RAVENS... the civilians they were supposed to save. And the second that got out, news of the disastrous save spread like a wildfire and the mighty RAVEN became the laughing stock of the whole country. Ignoring the fact that they literally had very few options other than hand over the criminals to the Hound - which would have gotten an even worse reaction.
Everyone was gathered in the room, and nobody said a word. They basically looked at each other while they waited for Deborah to show up - since she was so keen about having a meeting literally five minutes after the accident.
Then she stepped in, wearing an expensive suit with the DOVE insignia over her right breast, and Shannon Balore walked in behind her. Deborah had her hands folded behind her back. The two walked across the room until they reached the projector that every RAVEN should be well aware of if they ever stepped in this room. The silent was broken when Deborah asked,
"...Hey, where's the remote for this?"
Meifeng slid it across the table wordlessly, and Deborah grabbed it, letting out a casual "Thanks!" as they got to business.
Deborah put her arms behind her back, and kept her chin held high. She definitely looked sharp. "I'll let my beautiful assistant handle my presentation." She said, looking at Shannon.
"...As you all know, your little ploy was quite successful, the hostages were extracted, and the Black Hound was forced to retreat." Shannon said in a professional demeanor that was almost monotone. "I would love to commend you on your... unorthodox tactics. However, your methods were so extremely dangerous at least five hostages are dead. And that's not even accounting how many RAVENS and BPD officers were eliminated."
That was the sentence everyone was waiting for. The death toll. Deborah projected pictures of all the hostages that were killed along with information.
[Make yourselves useful and come up with stuff like names, cause of death, etc]
Maya Brennan, 41, female. Doctor.
Clifford Connors, 37, male. Factory laborer.
John Fox, 68, male. Small business owner.
Kylie Sugar, 19, female. College freshman.
Angela Gavin, 51, female. Gardener.
"It has caused an utter out-roar all over social media, and many organizations such as our favorite the Saviors are criticizing our actions." Shannon said, and the projected screen displayed a variety of angry tweets.
"To be fair, Miss Balore," Meifeng was the first to speak up. "Far as I can tell, we were put firmly between a rock and a hard place - if we had gone with the alternative..." She looked between her friends, and stayed confident. "...If he decided that today was the day he was going to keep his end of the bargain, there would be three dangerous super-criminals out on the street... and the last thing we need is the Mannequin back on the streets plottin' his next scheme."
"I understand that," Shannon Balore. "But, it's this spur-of-the-moment thinking that gives RAVEN a bad name, and causes incidents like this." Shannon had slammed her hand on the table with venom in her voice that Meifeng replied silently with a sharp glare. "You didn't notify anyone, you just dragged a lot of soldiers along for your insane strategy." She said, disgusted.
"...So, who would like to tell me who came up with the plan?" Shannon asked.
Without a second thought, Cindy had hopped up to her feet to say.
"It was me, ma'am," Cindy put her hands behind her back, and took the fall for it instead of Shizuka. Only because she was higher ranking than him, and could afford a demotion. "I was the one who came up with the plan, I am ready to take full blame for every single death." She said with heroic vigor, ready for the punishment.
"Ummm..." Deborah raised her finger in the air while holding back laughter. "...Ha - um, you know I can see through lies like that? Like really easily?"
"Oh?" Cindy's air of valiance deflated like a bubble. "Oh."
"So, that's one name crossed off," Shannon looked between the group. "Who's the one behind the plan?"
"...I was the one who came up with the crazy plan," Shizuka finally spoke up, staring back at Shannon with an equally piercing look. Then he let out a loud sigh, reclining back into his chair. "I don't care if you're going to hold me responsible for just five deaths and kick me out of here. I didn't join RAVEN to be a hero." He glared at Shannon again. "What would you do then, if you're with us at the mall? Give in and hand over Cross and the Mannequin to the Hound like an obedient little girl? Do you actually think that will save all the hostages and the agents on site?"
"...And I was the commanding officer, and formally gave Shizuka the go-ahead." Cindy also tried to wrestle some responsibility from Shizuka as she raised a finger up into the air.
"Hey, now, nobody's getting fired," Deborah was quick to inject... her ability passively giving her insight. "We understand that the situation was out of your hand, and I really am glad that things ended this way... but..." Deborah turned around and faced the screen showing all the angry tweets. "But, the problem is that the people out there want someone held accountable for this... They want someone punished, is what I'm saying."
Meifeng put her hands behind her head and stared at Deborah... and her backside... piecing together what she was getting at here. "Oh, boy..." She trailed off, rolling her eyes up into her head. Shizuka merely crossed his arms before him, waiting expectantly for whatever punishment they were going to give him. He was too tired to argue logic with those blockheads; besides, it was a perfect excuse for him to get a good break from months' worth of shit work.
"You want a scapegoat." Reed finally said, flexing his remaining hand. The other remained a stump, bandaged up.
"I don't want it to be this way, but someone's going have to get suspended," Deborah said. "I wish it was different, Mr. Takashiro, but on behalf of Maximilian Cornell-"
"...Hey, wait," Shannon said as she looked at the computer that was connected to the projector. "...We're getting a Skype call from Maximilian."
Deborah raised an eyebrow Deborah and Maximilian... the two of them haven't been seeing eye to eye lately.
"Put him through." Deborah said, and Shannon complied, hovering the cursor over the answer button, and there was the buffering symbol, spinning for a few moments.
The first thing they saw was a hand over the camera, adjusting it.
"...Adjust the camera a little bit," The voice that belonged to Maximilian spoke. "We need a good angle, it makes our points... all the more powerful."
"I'm trying, Maximilian," A closer, soft, feminine voice spoke... some of the well acquainted knew that voice was Dana Alcott.
"Know what, that's good enough." Maximilian said as Dana quickly wheeled away from the camera. They finally got a good look of the RAVEN Chairmen office in Black Fall. Maximilian leaned on his desk, with his hands folded. Even after all these years, the man didn't look a day older. He was still tall, muscular, and was now sporting a rockin' goatee. "Hello, long time no see, Meifeng, Shizuka, Mr. Taylor, and Cindy." Maximilian said as he waved at them. Dana quickly taking position at his side.
"Yo, Max," Meifeng said with a smile. "Here to watch Shizuka get put to deat-" She was stopped by Cindy throwing her empty coffee cup across the table and hitting her square in the forehead.
"No, I'm here to weigh in on the incident," Maximilian sighed. "Personally, since I am the one responsible for many of you entering the organization to begin with."
Shannon put her hand on her hip and gave the screen an aside glance.
"I know it was a tough decision, but handling the likes of the Black Hound is difficult," Maximilian was first to say. "He is different from the likes of Luis, as he is cunning, devious, but at the same time, unpredictable as we have no idea what he'll pull next. You did the right thing, we cannot submit to the Hound."
Meifeng was wondering what Maximilian was getting at.
"If you had, then that would only make him bold... and make him up the stakes next time. By defeating him here, you have proven to the world that he can be stopped," Maximilian said.
"...But, at the cost of innocent lives, Maximilian." Shannon chimed in, rather bitterly and earned a look from the man.
"...You would know."
And that made both Shannon and Deborah freeze up for a second as they thought on their own sins.
"...And, since I personally recruited Shizuka into RAVEN, I figure that it's best that I do this," Maximilian sighed. "Shizuka, please step forward." Shizuka got up from his seat and moved to Shannon's computer, while forcing down the urge to roll his eyes at how this was dragging on. He was surprised that Maximilian would take time away from his own work to show up for this stupid meeting (more like a hearing in Shizuka's case), but whatever the case he knew that Deborah was right - someone had to take the responsibility.
Maximilian loudly cleared his throat. "On behalf of RAVEN, you are officially suspended. Place your badge, and weapon on the table... like right there." Maximilian pointed at the end of the table where Deborah and Shannon were standing. Shizuka shrugged and did as told without a second thought.
"C'mon, this ain't fair," Cindy said. "We had as much to do with the plan as-"
That's when Meifeng threw a coffee cup at Cindy that bounced off her head.
"No point." Meifeng shrugged.
Reed simply sat there and drummed his fingers. If Quentin were here, he'd have had a few choice words to say about it, but there was no point. His brother was probably in surgery as they spoke; last he'd heard they were giving him an emergency blood transfusion.
"But, sir, Shizuka... while a piece of work sometimes, is one of the most dedicated and hardworking agents out there, along with one of the most skilled. Do we want him off the field?" Cindy protested in vain.
"It's what's necessary," Deborah sighed.
"Then suspend me-" Before Cindy could continue, a small piece of ice hit her in the side of the head. She grabbed her head, and rubbed it a little.
"Don't be stupid," Meifeng started off, "We need you more than anyone right now."
Meifeng, for once, had a point. Cindy just sighed. It was only a month, yeah.
It annoyed Meifeng too... because everything was out of his control, but there was honestly no real reason to lose her shit over it. Let Shizuka take his break.
"Mei's right," Shizuka said as he glanced from Meifeng to Cindy. "We can't have the commander to get suspended at this moment." He was pleasantly surprised at how Cindy had been trying her best to defend him, but they couldn't let their emotions get the better of them and forget about the bigger picture, the real problem.
"...Also, I'll leave all my paperwork for the hostage event to you lot to split among yourselves. Have fun!" he joked sarcastically before he left the room with a lazy wave - he no longer had business with this meeting. Well, because he had other matters - that were more important - to deal with...
Meifeng shrugged. Honestly, at this point, Meifeng couldn't care less about the paperwork. They really have to take out the Hound and the Family before they ramp up the chaos and things get really bad. However, they don't have any solid leads.
"...Now that's been settled," Shannon trailed off with an apathetic look on her face. "We have one more thing to discuss. Are all of you aware of the rampage that took place in Courtbridge at the same time as the hostage situation?"
"Yeah," Meifeng shrugged. "It's like, all over the news."
"The bastard attacked one of my cases... he's definitely with the Founding Family." Cindy hissed.
"Well, we managed to identify the man.... He is Ezekiel Anagnos, does that ring a bell?" Shannon asked.
"Yeah..." Cindy trailed. "That guy who owns that biotech firm?"
"Anagnos International, to be exact." Shannon said. "If we know he's with the Founding Family... this could be cause for investigation."
"...The police has already raided his "home" in Pennsylvania," Deborah finally spoke up, but she finger quoted when she said "home." Which was cause for alarm. "But, Ezekiel was nowhere near there."
"But, what about the compound that was found?" Cindy asked.
"Well..." Deborah awkwardly said as she pressed one button on the remote... and the projection changed to a still image of the base that Wendy had raided in flames. Clearly the aftermath of a powerful explosion. "...The base was torched before we could even get to it. Firefighters are on it, but the damage is so extensive that there's no way we can recover anything from it."
Cindy leaned back in her chair, and shook her head. "Grrrrrrrrrrreat..." Cindy sarcastically said in irritation.
"Well, at least we have a lead," Meifeng said. "We just gotta find Anagnos and whoop his ass."
"...If we can." Cindy said.
"Either way, we have a lot of work cut out for us," Deborah said. "I'm going to be working on damage control... the rest of you are going to look into Ezekiel, and the Founding Family."
Deborah nodded her head.
"There's no point holding you all here, meeting adjourned."
Written in collaboration with @Mr Allen J New Raygate, Prince Edfield.
Soaring countless feet above the air and barreling through the city, Rhea could have shown more concern. At the moment, it was a struggle to keep her eyes open. Since Malik did the daring deed of rescuing her, she found it unlikely he’d drop her from this height.
Cat’s outta the bag… He’s a meta, like me. she thought, a half-delirious grin on her face.
After their daring escape, Malik managed to get far enough away that he felt comfortable landing on a rooftop, and thank God because he was getting tired. Especially with this knife in his chest. Well, compared to forty bullets, that's nothing! Malik felt glad to be alive. Though, the man was hopping up and down.
"That was exciting, yeah." He said, high off the adrenaline. "But, think we lost them?"
“With the stunt you pulled?” Rhea looked back in the direction they fled. “I think we’re okay.”
Rhea appraised Malik, grimacing at the knife embedded in him. “If I wasn’t on the verge of passing out I’d heal you. Are you going to be okay?”
"Yeah... it's..." Malik looked at the knife protruding out of his body. "... Just one knife."
He tried to brush it off... before a wave of realization hit Malik when he put two and two together.
"Wait, did you...?" Malik asked, "I told you to stay out of it, now look at what happened!"
A pained expression crossed her face. “You’re right. And I’m sorry. Whatever reason you had for being at, presumably, the Founding Family’s base, it would have gone smoother if I wasn’t there."
“You saved me. We’re both wounded, but…” she gritted her teeth. “I did what I felt was right. No one should go through what’s happened to your friend.”
While Malik was still pretty angry that she had got involved... he couldn't stay angry when he realized that the two of them are in this together now. While it might have been easier to just leave Rhea, take the phone, and stay off their radar, he couldn't just stand by and let Rhea get killed - and from a pragmatic standpoint, he would have been exposed anyway (D'oh!).
"Me and my big mouth," Malik said underneath his breath. "I understand ya' fully, while I'm still a little annoyed ya' went behind my back - what we need to do is look forward and realize that the two of us are in this together."
Malik pulled out the cellphone that belonged to Marcelle and showed it to Rhea.
"I grabbed this phone out of their base... it's my friend's Marcelle's phone," Malik started off. "This is the clue that'll help me find her... but, the only problem is that I have no idea what her unlock code is!" Malik awkwardly laughed as he scratched the back of his head.
Her name is Marcelle… Rhea tilted her head, staring at the bright purple device. It’s not ideal, but Hallmark’s techies have programs for cracking phones.
“That could be a problem.” Rhea nodded. “You’ve checked that it’s code-locked? I have a possible solution for you. It’s expensive, but I can get that phone cracked for you in 12 to 24 hours.”
"Money isn't a problem, but I'm not entirely sure, I'll have to charge it...." Malik answered before he put the phone back into his pocket. "But, I have another issue..."
He said as he crossed his arms.
"... What exactly happened? Why did they kidnap you or something?"
Her eyes drifted to the knife still hanging off Malik. “If I tell you, will you let me fix this blade chillin’ in your ribs?”
Malik looked down.
"... Sure."
“Apparently, the Founding Family has ways of negating Tor, which is what I use for anonymous browsing. I ran a search, found an encrypted site with their name, and before I knew it, two masked ladies blasted in my door.” Rhea said, shaking her head. “You saw all the good parts. They cornered me and I eventually found myself in that garage.”
Her face brightened. "I discovered something, though. The Black Hound is working with the Founding Family."
"Well," Malik said scratching the back of his neck. "I feel a little responsible for this, so, I'm gonna lend ya' a hand."
He dramatically posed.
"I'm staying with a friend that's really nice... Come with me so we can lay low at her apartment. No one should know that we are even there."
Rhea folded her arms, mulling over the opportunity. She was tired, sore, and sliced up good. Her safe-house, if Hallmark hadn’t sent someone to destroy it already, was no longer safe. Malik wanted her help, and she did owe him a great deal.
After a moment, Rhea gave him a serious look. “This Family group is scary, and we’ve kicked the hornet’s nest. I think it’s fair to say whoever we associate with is being put at risk. Having said that, I’ll tag along. I’ll be able to treat us both, and get some rest…”
"Of course," Malik said, putting his arms behind his head. "It'll be just like the movies!"
Rhea laughed. "If so, we're not getting paid enough."
"Now, let's go!" Malik looked around, spotted the fire escape, and motioned for Rhea to follow. The duo made a slow descend down the building and walked through the yellow-lit streets.
DOVE/RAVEN Joint West Coast Headquarters, White Coast_
"I'm sorry that things have to turn out like this," Holly started off across the table in Shizuka's overly pristine office room, setting down the coffee mug. "You did your best."
"Doesn't matter." Shizuka waved her concern off. "I've always wanted a real vacation from work, anyway." When Holly continued to stare at him with a disbelieving look, he raised both hands in defeat. "Fine, I'm lying - I know still have a lot of things to do even though I'm off-field for the time being." His suspension was the perfect opportunity to do some intelligence in secret, under everyone's nose.
Holly could only shook her head at his nonchalance at the situation he was now in; deep down she admired how much his mentality had developed ever since Verthaven. "Well, don't forget that this is the only time you can get a break - especially with the whole Founding Family and Black Hound things going on lately."
"I'll let the rest handle the Fags and their poodle." Shizuka shrugged. "Now that Mei's back being Cindy's right hand, both of them can deal with the rest themselves."
Holly raised an eyebrow at his choice of words, though she smirked slightly at his tough act. "Be glad that Keagan isn't around to hear that, when she had been trying so hard to cover for you." It was the one side of Shizuka that would never change no matter how much he had matured over the years.
Shizuka frowned to hear that Holly had been eavesdropping on the meeting through her 'green friends'. "...I'll never get used to that freaky plant power of yours."
"Back to you, too - try to come in from the door properly when you visit me the next time." Holly smiled, then her face went back to its blank, professional state. "Anyway, there's something I need to discuss with you---"
The sudden ringing from Shizuka's desk phone drowned out the rest of Holly's words. Shizuka narrowed his eyes at the telephone before he pressed the loudspeaker.
"Mr. Takashiro," the voice and language was foreign to Holly, but Shizuka knew exactly who it was. "Ah, you're finally in the office."
Shizuka gave Holly a look to keep quiet before he replied in a clipped tone, "...Mr. Yang. What a surprise." He scowled as he pulled out the profile of the caller mentally from his head. Yang Wei - second-in-command in the Chinese Metahuman Agency MAP, who possessed a dangerous cerebral power... to read minds like an open book, and no one's deepest, darkest secrets could be kept away from him.
Shizuka rolled his eyes at the fake chuckle coming from the phone speaker. "We'll save the pleasantries for other time. Long-distance call isn't cheap, after all." Then the light tone became firmer. "Before I get to the point, I would like to congratulate on your successful operation to rescue the hostages from the Black Hound... with minimal civilian casualties. You never fail to amaze me - and I can see why my niece is head over heels for a man like you."
Shizuka ignored the last bit, his tone still flat and unemotional. "...Shall we get straight to the point?"
"Of course, of course..." Shizuka could feel the other man smirking over the call. "I have received... reliable information that Song Jiang is currently hiding in America. Baybridge, to be specific." Shizuka's expression darkened. "Song Jiang is an extremely important person to us - we would like you to share everything you know about him with us... and return him to the Chinese authorities immediately if you have him in custody."
Before Shizuka could formulate a response, Yang Wei added, "You are an intelligent man - I trust that you know what you should do." Then he laughed. "Also, I'm sure you're familiar with this name - 'Qiaolian'."
Shizuka clenched his fists on the table. This was clearly a threat - he had wanted to stay out of the Zhao family's little problem as much as he could, merely acting as their informant and leaving them to sort out their own business, but now he knew he couldn't continue to take the back seat and simply watch anymore. He had a very bad feeling about this - he just realized that there was something off about all this...
"...I'll see what I can do about this," Shizuka was able to keep his voice even, refusing to show any weakness to the man he hated to deal with. "Well, if your intel is that accurate, you'd know that I'm currently on leave from work for awhile."
"No hurries... as long as you understand what are the stakes here. Enjoy your holiday while you can, Mr. Takashiro." With that, the line went dead.
"...Shizuka," Holly began softly, after a long silence. "Are you alright?"
Shizuka sighed, finally turning to look at Holly in the eyes. "You know I can't really lie to you as well as to other people..." Even so, he had promised Lihua to keep whatever he knew about her family's secrets to himself. "...Well, just another thing that's out of my control." He shrugged.
While Holly couldn't understand a word Shizuka and the caller were saying, she could make a good inference that it was probably one of his contacts in Asia (the language they were speaking in sounded oriental). However, rather than mulling over a conversation that Shizuka obviously didn't want to tell her about, she needed to tell him something - which she tried before the unexpected phone call cut her off just now.
"This is from the Chinese news a few days ago," Holly said as she passed him a file. "Took me some time to extract the relevant ones - and no thanks to Google's horrible translations. The name would probably ring a bell to you."
A look of irritation flashed across Shizuka's face as he read the news clippings. "...I don't have the time to deal with something like this." He could feel the dread rising from within him at the thought of receiving another troublesome phone call, from someone a million times worse than Yang Wei.
Holly was surprised at his reaction. "That's not what I mea---"
"Yeah, I know," Shizuka cut her sentence short. The clippings were about a missing man named Yang Jun... and Shizuka did enough research in the past to know that he was the brother of Yang Wei. He didn't like where this was going, after piecing the puzzles together.
...Everything was completely out of his control.
...
London, England.
With the Black Hound in Baybridge, someone had to... finish his work in Britain.
A man wearing similar armor to him, but much smaller, and lankier, stood on a rooftop with a massive sniper rifle - bearing the same symbol of the snarling dog. A Barrett .50 cal, one of the most feared sniper rifles in the world. It was a dark, and rainy night in Britain. He knelt on the edge of the rooftop and looked through his binoculars, and eyeballed a black vehicle speeding down the streets. Ever since the Black Hound went on a rampage in the Palace of Westminster, the British were trying extra hard to keep their politicians alive. Every single one was to be escorted by the military back to a protected area. It would be clever, if they didn't have so many people on the inside that knows all the routes they take.
They all had one thing in common. Each of them foolishly opposed the Founding Family, and were killed by the Black Hound. Jane Phillips were going to be the last target - for now - and the Founding Family's politicians could finally begin to subsume Britain into the Founding Family. The assassin could take the flashy approach the Black Hound takes, but he choose not to emulate his master. He aimed for the tire of the vehicle, then swiped the rifle across where the vehicle was going. He waited for the wheel to fall within it's sights, and then fired the round that traveled at super-sonic speeds that hit the tire and caused the vehicle to careen out of control. It crashed into the side of a building, and the assassin was willing to just call it a day. He hoisted his sniper rifle, and got ready to call Zenith...
...But, the Black Hound told him to always confirm the kill.
The assassin was some distance away - but that was no problem. The assassin was surrounded in a disgusting, inky black smoke that consumed him. Suddenly, the assassin was launched through the air - through any and all objects - until he arrived on top of the car. He pulled out his sidearm - an MP5 - and investigated. The first thing he noticed was the back door being open, and there being no dead body. Wait. How did she survive this crash? The assassin thought to himself. The vehicle was in flames - extinguished by the rain. The first thing that he thought of was; Who was escorting her? The MISW had a heavy hand in this protection program...
... A bullet hit the Phantasm right in the back, and he was fortunate enough to be wearing body armor. But, the shot was low enough caliber not to pierce his suit - but also high enough so that the impact hurt like a bitch and made the Assassin stumble over. On mere instinct alone, the assassin teleported through the vehicle, and took cover on the other side.
"This is MISW Agent Nickel, I need immediate reinforcements on York Road!" The Assassin heard the man call for help, and just had to shake his head. Jane must be making a run for it. He was merely getting stalled. The Assassin was thrust through the air yet again, and appeared on the other side of the vehicle next to the man, and put the MP5 to his head before he could react. He sprayed the man's skull full of bullets before he could even react, and the Metahuman assassin continued on. He was thrusted through the air and landed on top of a rooftop. They couldn't have gotten far... but, the Assassin picked up this profession for a reason.
He closed his eyes, and focused. When he opened his eyes, everything was an transparent black color. And every sound was a darker shade of black that "floated" to the assassin. He could hear on a whole another level.
"...This way Jane!" A man said. "Help is on the way."
He grinned underneath his mask, and blinked one time - which was enough to cancel the vision - before he teleported on the buildings above them. He knew that the CTC would be here any moment now, expecting a fight with the Black Hound... but someone far weaker. The assassin caught eye of his target, and pulled out his .50 cal yet again. Before aiming it at Jane - a brown-haired woman with matching brown eyes - and taking the shot. The shot was so powerful that it blew a hole clean through her chest. She dropped dead, and the assassin smiled. That's when the helicopters approaching caught his attention - a stray shot from a sniper shot that had the luck (or unluck) of missing him.
"Zenith." The mysterious assassin said as a helicopter utterly unloaded a barrage of bullets. He turned intangible and every bullet went through him as he fell backwards into the fresh portal that opened for him. When the portal closed, he was gone, and there was just another dead politician.
...He was the Phantasm, after all.
One Week Later... Friday, October 27th, 7:59 PM.
Baybridge was in utter fear. With the disastrous mall situation, the National Guard has been called into the city to help keep order. However, that was difficult with all the unease going on in the city. Against Metahumans, and worst of all, against RAVEN. All over the news and social media there was pure outrage against RAVEN for their reckless actions. Worst of all, the hysteria in the city was going up due to the Black Hound not only destroying a festival, but holding an entire mall hostage. Even though the Intimidation Unit wasn't active, the world feared them. Making in clear that even though the Black Hound had lost, he still managed to spread fear and make RAVEN look bad. All while mysterious disappearances have been cropping up all over Baybridge. With no consistent pattern as Metahuman and man were being taken.
It was a Friday night... not too many people were out in fear of the Black Hound, but there were a few brave souls. The night sky was cloudy, and it was clear that rain would show up soon.
Quentin & Reed Taylor.
RAVEN/DOVE Headquarters, Hospital Wing
Despite having his own room in the Hospital Wing of HQ, it was a dull period for Quentin, who found being bedridden to be a shitty situation. Yet, he stirred as he caught sight of a visitor stepping inside the room. "You again?" He asked, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. The veteran RAVEN was hooked up to an IV line and was dressed in a hospital gown, which seemed ill-fitting on him.
"Nice to see you too." Reed's smile betrayed his amusement as he pulled up a seat beside the bed. "How's things? You're looking, well, hell of a lot better than the state you showed up in."
Quentin snorted at the question, not even bothering to hide the sarcasm in his answer. "Oh... y'know, I'm fine... shot, slashed up, stabbed in the gut and I lost a lot of blood, nothin' major, really." He raised his hand to give his younger brother the thumbs up. "Aside from that, yeah. Feels less like being run over by a train."
"Well, those things aside, I'm glad to hear it." Reed nodded, reclining in his seat a little. "I miss anything?"
"Well, had some surgery a couple days ago to get the other bullet fragment out, that was fun."
"Least you're conscious, now. Should've seen you last time, I've never seen you so doped up."
"Probably because I don't make it a habit." Quentin said, with a somewhat sharpened tone. "I forgot to ask... how's the hand?"
"Healing." Reed flexed his gloved palm a couple of times. It had taken several days for the stump to regrow and it had mostly returned at this point, but it remained stiff and tender.
"What's this... third time you've had that thing messed up, now?" Quentin chuckled hoarsely. "Seems like it's whenever we're all together."
"It's not an experience I'd like to repeat." Reed rubbed his palm, before deciding to change the topic. "You need anything? I don't mind doing a couple grocery runs if the food here's not your thing."
"Not unless you can get me back into the field." Quentin gave his stubbled jaw a rub. "Food could be worse. Still, I'm eating out once I'm discharged."
"Speaking of that, how long are they keeping you in for, exactly?" Reed asked, with an arched brow, though it seemed to achieve a frown on his brother's part.
"Doctors want me kept in a little longer, another week or so, maybe. Load of bullshit if you ask me, but I haven't been given much of a choice."
"Jesus man, you lost a lot of blood and took a beating, you're lucky to be alive for god's sake..." Reed started off, with that lecturing tone of his. "Given the alternative, I think everyone would prefer you here."
"Yeah?" Quentin asked, rhetorically, "Like I'm any use to anyone right now. How are the others doing?"
"They're all good..." Reed said, with a somewhat reluctant tone. There were a couple things that Quentin wasn't exactly aware of and he would have preferred to keep them that way.
"What else?" Quentin asked with a raised brow. "Something else you're not telling me?"
"No, it's nothing to worry about, man."
"I might be hospitalized, but I'm not stupid. Don't bullshit me."
"Alright, look... fine. Two things you probably want to know. Mei got attacked by the same asshole who went after her Mom in Prince Ed-field, the one who uh... burned my hand."
The veteran RAVEN leaned forward, albeit just a little. "She alright?"
"Yeah, she's fine. Little roughed up, but still in one piece."
A hint of relief washed over Quentin's face. "And the other?"
Reed hesitated for a moment, before finally answering. "...Shizuka got suspended from RAVEN."
"What?!" Quentin exclaimed, thumping the side of his bed so hard it gave off a loud metallic rattle. "That's some bullshit, what happened?"
Reed ran a palm across his face and sighed. "People are blaming RAVEN for the people who died at the mall."
That only stoked the fires of the veteran RAVEN's temper. "Yeah? Well what else could we do, exactly, huh? We lost people too, good peopl-" At least, until Reed cut him off.
"Look, I'm on your side, man. It's a scapegoat, everyone knows it, but it's gotta be done. Max Cornell had to do it himself, even understood."
"Yeah, well y'know what, fuck 'em. I stopped caring about public opinion a long time ago." Quentin's fury was abated, though one could easily tell he was unhappy about the arrangement.
"Wish I could say the same sometimes, but it's the hard truth." Reed said, folding his arms, though a hard stare from Quentin prompted him to continue. "Look, if it's any consolation, it's only a temporary suspension and Shizu didn't seem too beat up about it, seemed like a vacation for him."
"Whatever... but what about the rest of our people? That bastard's still out there and so are more like him." The veteran RAVEN had never liked the idea of leaving his colleagues behind, especially not with the likes of the Black Hound out there.
"Don't worry, we'll manage." Reed assured him. "Just, I dunno, focus on getting some rest."
It prompted a sigh, before Quent finally relented on that front as well. "Alright. Anyway... where are you heading next?"
"Meeting with the others, could all use a drink after this shitshow."
Quentin frowned, then started sulking again. "Are you sure I can't just check out and check back in tonight?"
Reed chuckled at that one. "I'm really sure that Jade'll appreciate that. Get some rest and for christ's sake, stop thinking about work. God forbid you take a break from things every once in a while."
"But.. ah, fuck it. Fine." The elder of the two Taylors relented in their argument, which was a nice change. Before Reed left, however, Quentin had one more thing to say. "I forgot to say it before, but... thanks."
"For what?" Reed raised an eyebrow.
Quentin was glad someone had his back. "Covering my ass."
"What else's family for?" Reed offered his brother one last smile and received one in turn.
Old man would've proud.
Jennifer Marissa Caspin.
???
"...W-where am I?"
Jennifer asked out loud as consciousness hit her like a wave. An utter assault of bright lights. It was like she was lying on her back. She tried to move her arm, but the digit was bound. Her head rolled over on this metal surface, and noticed that she was strapped down. Yeah... she was starting to realize that her feet were also bound. She turned her neck upwards and felt the metal object wrapped around it. Okay, where the hell is she? Is she dreaming? No... this didn't feel like no dream. It felt real. Okay, Jennifer, try to remember what happened... you were in Starrybanks going to meet Cindy, and now you're here. Connect the dots...
Footsteps pierced through the air, and Jennifer looked up.
"Hello, Lazarus," A red haired woman said surrounded by properly dressed men (and some women), who stared Jennifer in the face. "I just decided to bring you in for a... check-up."
"W-who are you?" Jennifer asked.
The woman was presented a tray full of surgical tools by her well-dressed posse, and she grabbed a latex glove and pulled it on. Before she grabbed onto a syringe, and slowly injected a chemical into it. "Well, given that you won't remember this... I'm Julia O'Sullivan. Nice to meet you, Jennifer." The senior member of the Blessed Three smiled at her.
"Where am I?" Jennifer asked as she began shaking.
"Don't worry too much about that, sweetheart," Julia said as she finally filled the syringe with the mysterious chemical. She injected it into Jennifer's neck, and the girl started feeling calm. "Doesn't that feel great? It's tranquilizer. You don't have to worry about anything... just relax." The woman said as she pulled out a scalpel from the tray. She made a cut across Jen's upper arm, cutting out a perfect square of her slightly pale white flesh. "I just want to take a few samples from my prized creation that's all."
"...Creation?" Jennifer said, high off tranquilizer.
Julia paused for a moment. "...Well, you'll find out eventually."
After placing the skin on a petri dish, Julia laughed as she began the fun part of her little check up. The secretary carried the petri dish away after sealing it before it got contaminated. Her hands went for a Stethoscope, and she grabbed it. Before she grazed her hands over Jennifer's chest, placed the device in her ears, and the other end against Jennifer's heart.
"Heart rate normal..." Julia mused, and her secretaries wrote it down.
She grabbed a flashlight, before she shined it inside of her ears, nose, and opened the girl's mouth and shined it inside.
"Everything up here seems nominal." Julia said.
She got really close and stared Jennifer square into the eye, shining the light into her eyes.
"You know," Julia said. "You have such beautiful eyes."
She was quick to swap out her latex gloves, and walked over to the opposite end of Jennifer and spread her legs open, and looked inside.
Oh my God, this is such a violation. Jennifer was mortified right now. Her eyes shot open wide... but, this tranquilizer stopped her from freaking out like she wanted to. She could feel the woman touching her. Spreading her open. It was horrifying.
"No recent activity... which is a shame, because I wanted to test if your reproductive organs were in working order," Julia teased as she dug a little deeper inside of Jennifer. "Could you do that just for me?"
Afterwards, Julia put the gloves away and replaced them with new ones, and finished her examination.
"Let's see... no abnormalities detected, joints seem okay, no cancer detected, breasts seem perfectly fine, and your nerves are still... sensitive, but everything else seems perfectly fine..." Julia casually said. "So, that means you are in perfect working order! I honestly want to keep studying you to see how long you'll last. Hopefully, my treatment gave you a normal lifespan... taking in account your regeneration, of course."
"What..." Jennifer groggily said.
"Now, now... I want to also test your regeneration, and getting the sample that the Foundation Woman wanted," Julia snapped her fingers, and she was handed a bonesaw. She hovered it over Jennifer's wrist. "I really wish I could turn on your regeneration for this, but it'll just get in the way sweetie."
"...What are you-"
Jennifer then let out a shriek of pain, even in her tranquilized state, as Julia brought he bonesaw back and fourth. Cutting through Jennifer's wrist with the saw. Coating it with blood and gore as the girl desperately tried to resist, but couldn't muster the strength to.
"Stop it, Jenny," Julia said remorselessly. "More you resist - the more this will hurt!"
The muscles and tendons that connected her hand to the rest of her body were the first to be severed, and then the bones were sawed through. All to the agony of Jennifer who could feel the sharp tool digging into her flesh and cutting through her. Oozing blood... and even without it regenerating. Tears began to well down Jennifer's face. This tranquilizer wasn't helping.
And before long, the hand simply fell off. Julia was sure to cut off the remaining flesh attached to it. She unbinded the hand, and gently dropped it on a tray.
"...Get that sterilized at once before it gets contaminated." Julia said, before she faced Jennifer, pointing in her face. "And drop her back in the alley we got her."
Her operating table was getting pushed away - before Julia stopped them by raising her head.
"Wait! Almost forgot," Julia leaned in really close to Jennifer's ear, and smiled deviously.
"...Mechanized Memories."
...And that's when everything went dark for Jennifer.
Starrybanks, White Coast.
Her eyes opened like she had awoken from a vivid dream.
It was shocking, to say the least... when the only thing she was facing was a brick wall. "... Uh?" Jennifer thought to herself. Last thing she remembered was tripping... and now she's face down in an alleyway. Maybe she hit her head too hard, it sure as hell hurts. She put her hand-
"What the fuck?!" Jennifer shouted as she immediately realized that her left hand was missing. Her thoughts were frantic, as she tried to recall when she last lost her God damn hand. She sure as hell had it before she tripped. She quickly examined her wrist, and saw that nothing was out of the ordinary. She was wearing her favorite white hoodie, and there wasn't even the slightest drop of blood on it. And she would know.
It was her head... her head hasn't been working right late-
A sudden and extremely intense headache overcame Jennifer as being on an operating table appeared in Jennifer's mind's eye, and there was a woman that was obscured by shadows going in between her legs. She grabbed each side of her head (Well, tried to) and started thrashing around as she just wanted the pain to stop. Her vision distorted and faded into static... before it was all better, and Jennifer regained control of herself.
Okay, something very wrong is going on here... But, Jennifer knew that it was best if she ignored it like nothing happened.
The last thing the girl wants to do is drive herself insane... so, she just slid her missing hand in her pocket, and scrolled along towards the Bull Tavern.
Wendy Emily Lucker
Academy 61, Roseview.
Wendy was certainly making the most of her "suspension." It sucked being trapped in the Academy for a week-straight, but during that time, Wendy was training. Training for the next encounter with the Black Hound, the next encounter with Ezekiel, and whoever the hell else may follow them. What time she wasn't spending in a class-room was spent practicing, her grades took a hit, but Wendy honestly couldn't care less. If she has to repeat a year to get Diana back, then so be it. She's been training in the halls, and spent spare time fighting in the arena against opponents that are of similar caliber to the Hound, and Ezekiel. Bruisers, and high-level elemental types. She won against every single one of them.
They were different from the real thing, but Wendy was going to better herself at any cost. Which is why she did something different today. Wendy carried herself into the training hall, wearing her usual training attire which consists of a T-shirt, and some gym shorts. She had something new to bring to the fight against the Black Hound.
You see, a few days ago, she visited her "mentor" Lihua Zhao. While the woman found Wendy rather annoying, Wendy had one simple request before Ms. Zhao went home...
Five days ago...
Lihua had crossed her arms as she gave Wendy a narrow glare. They were in the Academy parking lot, far as Wendy could go before she was stopped by Academy staff. Lihua was leaned up against her vehicle as she stared at the girl. She had given Lihua a request. A request that Lihua found... difficult.
She looked at the girl standing strong with her fists balled, and trying to show some form of fearlessness? That's what Lihua gleaned. She was an intimidating woman and that was never going to change. She was kinder, but she was still hardened, and didn't show the teens any weakness. None that they could exploit for their own gains (Which mostly consists of stupid stuff). While still being humane.
"...So you want my ability?" Lihua asked as she put a finger on the side of her face, looking at the girl.
Wendy's fist shook as she showed a brief moment of weakness. "...Yes, Ms. Zhao. I need your ability."
That made Lihua narrow her eyes. Her ability was definitely a powerful one... one that could be used for nonstop destruction. But, at the same time, it could be used for great thing, Lihua could see it in her eyes. Her ability was a heavy burden that required years of training to perfect, and she wanted to give it a try? She shrugged with her arms crossed.
"...Why should I?" Lihua bluntly asked. "You are clearly fueled by anger... and revenge... you would only hurt yourself with that mindset, child." She leaned in forward a little bit until she was eye-level with Wendy.
"I... I want to get stronger... I want to get stronger so I won't ever lose anyone to the Black Hound again." Wendy clenched her fist as she spoke heartfelt.
"Strength only goes so far, child." LIhua put her hand on her hip. "You need experience, and most of all, personal strength."
"I just don't want to lose anyone ever again!" Wendy shouted, letting her growing sorrow show. Clenching her fists tightly. "If you don't want to help me, then fine. I'll find another way."
"Child..." Lihua said.
"...And I'm through with your pseudo-philosophi-" That's when Wendy saw Lihua's hand extended, and the girl immediately felt much better. She grabbed Lihua's hands tightly, and their Metahuman energy began to glow brightly as they entered a similar wavelength. Lihua's nervous system in her arm glowed brightly, before it traveled up Wendy's arm. Then her arm turned into concrete for a brief second... and then it was all gone. After she had successfully copied Lihua's ability.
"...It requires a clear mind above all else." Lihua raised a finger up into the air. "If you have no self control, then you will not control it... good day, Ms. Lucker."
With that, Lihua walked off, leaving Wendy to stare at her hands in awe.
After that encounter, Wendy made sure to train with the ability best she could. Like Ms. Zhao said... it was such a powerful ability. She felt like she was on par with the likes of the Black Hound and Ezekiel whenever she did even the slightest action. However, it came with a price... all power comes at a price. Something that Ms. Zhao didn't tell her about. She stepped into the training hall with small discs of concrete that were placed around the area, then were targets in the distance. She took in a deep breath as she put her hands out and raised four of the concrete discs... it was almost like manipulating powers. In theory, almost every ability works a similar fashion to each other - just like how they all run on a similar wavelength as each other. It wasn't that difficult figuring out the basics.
Wounds opened up on her arms, and began to ooze blood. Wendy could feel the pain vividly, but if it meant going toe-to-toe with her powerful enemies, then so be it. It stained her gym clothes, but Wendy was just going to swap it out. A few days of training and Wendy has most certainly made lots of progress. Her control is rough, and unrefined - unlike Lihua's elegant, near-dancelike, form (that she swore was some kind of martial art). It'll be years before she gets any affinity with this ability, but Wendy was going have to make due. Even now, she could seriously mess someone up. But, she was wondering if it would work on the nigh-invulnerable Hound.
She's going to find out, because soon enough, she's going to contact her benefactor, and she needs to be able to at least switch back.
Unlike her shaky time learning electrokinesis, she feels like she's getting to that point very fast. Wendy just needs more time. But, she couldn't afford to waste time. She looked at all of the concrete discs, and then focused on the targets. She balled her fists, and thrust them both forward hard as she could, in a rough manner. Like she was punching through stone. She launched the barrage of stone discs dead on with surprising accuracy. Wendy smiled because she couldn't do that before! She was making progress!
Though, despite the pain... Wendy felt tired. Stone is heavy, and it takes much more energy for her to move. Unlike paper that was easy to move. This just made Wendy more appreciative of Lihua's skill - like how the hell did she get that good?
Wendy pulled out a towel and wiped her head off - along with the blood that was seeping through her clothes. It was time that she takes a break... and tends to her wounds. She wished that she could switch to her paper powers just to regenerate, but she's locked into the power until otherwise.
Taking a break, Wendy had left the room.
Rori Aherne && Maxine Diaz
West Woodlake, Hedgemount
Max turned off the TV with a sigh. She didn't need to watch the news - she knew what had happened, she'd been there (albeit, useless - at least she'd felt that way). Rori looked at their cousin sympathetically. RAVEN was in just a bit of shit at the moment - Rori had had to tread around the subject for the last week. In fact they'd been treading carefully around Max the past week and spent most of their time out, or in their room. They'd finally had to migrate downstairs for food, and Max had dragged them into watching TV.
"So, you met Conor, right?"
Oh, yeah. Rori had texted Max after that had happened. "Yes, I did."
"Not alone, right?"
"No, I went with Haruka - a friend. You work with his brother, he's a RAVEN too. I wouldn't go alone."
"That's good..." Max sighed, raking a hand through her short hair. "What was he like?"
"Nervous, but he seemed fine. He's matured a lot more. But I'm worried, Max. He's joined my parent's church and they've got a group in Baybridge now. My parent's church was terrible and I don't know why he'd join it."
Max narrowed her eyes. "What was his reason for meeting you?"
Rori hesitated, not responding as quickly as they normally did. "He said that he wanted to meet me, but also something about my parent's. And Saiorse."
"I never liked Saiorse." Max didn't look all that happy. It was true - she'd never really gotten on with any of Rori's other siblings, though she hadn't minded Conor. "Tell me if Conor texts you again. I don't think you should meet him again. Also, if I have time I'll look into this church."
Rori nodded. "That's fine. I don't want to get involved with whatever my family, and that church, is involved in anyway..."
The Black Hound, The Foundation Woman, & The Phantasm.
Somewhere in Prince-Edfield.
"Oh, Black Hound...." The Foundation Woman said as she knocked over one a black chess piece with her pawn, and placed it on it's previous spot. "... You're supposed to be cunning."
Sitting opposite of the Foundation Woman was the Black Hound... surprisingly unarmored. This was one of the few rare occasions where the dark brute was seen without his armor on. Instead wearing a modest sea-green sweater, and some jeans. His hulking frame was placed in a rather cozy chair, as the only thing between him and the Foundation Woman was this short chess board. The man sat casually with his arms on his knees. He briefly looked around, and gazed around the room that people only dream of being in. They were surrounded by windows, as they were in a skyscraper that gave them a perfect view of Baybridge. The room was well furnished with tan carpet, and some of the best furniture money could buy. There was a bar on the other side of the room, along with pool tables, and other casino games. They were the only people up in this room, as it was their "day off."
Ever since the mall, the Hound had been working in the shadows like he originally was. Only to give RAVEN and the BPD time to guess when he'll show up again
"Maybe you should have wired that into my programming..." The Black Hound bitterly said, staring at the chess board.
"C'mon, Hound, don't be like that." The Foundation Woman said with a coy smile on her face. "Nobody's perfect, after all." She said in a teasing tone.
Though, that demeanor faded as she tilted her head and thought about something really hard. When it hit her, the woman raised her hand up into her head.
"We need to give you a real name." The Foundation Woman said with a smile. "I know moments like this come... rarely, but calling you the Hound or some variation just gets awkward after the eightieth." She finished her statement with a shrug
"Real..." The Hound muttered.
"Yes. Real." The Foundation Woman said in a condescending manner as if the Hound was a mere child. "Hmmm...." She trailed off before she leaned in really close to the Hound's face, grabbed onto the side of his eye and adjusted it slightly. The Hound gave her a narrow look.
"...Abel." The Foundation Woman said. "Yes, that's what I'm going to call you from here on in, Abel. We'll work on a last and middle name later."
"You know my true name is Sover-" The Hound - or Abel - said, before he was cut off by The Foundation Woman.
"As of now, your true name is Abel, and there's no one around to question it," the Foundation Woman said. "Besides... there's going to be a point where you'll have to stop all this nonsense on the behalf of the Three... and start being a... as you'd say; real, person... Abel." The Foundation Woman said coyly.
Abel merely sighed.
"...Some day, yes." Abel somberly said.
"Soon enough, just go along with the plan and everything will work out for all of us." The Foundation Woman deviously said. "Now, are we going to finish this chess match, or what?"
A blue portal opened up in the room... and stepping out was the Hound's loyal assassin, the Phantasm. He stepped in, covered in armor as he held a strange metal container that looked like it was frozen. "I have retrieved the sample," the Phantasm said, holding up the metal container.
"It was good that Julia did as I requested..." the Foundation Woman said, turning her head towards Abel. "...Or more accurately, your request."
"Does Codex still have her memories?" Abel asked.
"She should." The Foundation Woman said.
"Good..." Abel trailed.
"I'm still wondering what use we can make out of Caspin's hand?" The Foundation Woman said. "I don't think she'll do much good in the ZODIAC project..."
"It is merely an apology." Abel said.
"For what?"
Abel then stood up and looked between his comrades in the Family. "They are going to put Caspin to use soon..."
He trailed off dramatically.
"...And I don't think she'll survive."
Veronica Emily Davis.
Lower-South Royer Town, Prince-Edfield.
Finally, Veronica got a day off from being the Blessed Three's personal lapdog!
Though, the Hound takes more of the role of a dog. Loud, intimidating, relentless, and worst of all, loyal. She had no idea where they got such a monster from, that was just so perfect, but the Family was so damn mysterious that they could have perfectly bred the bastard in a test tube. Where the Hound was a dog, Veronica was more of a... hawk. Yes. A magnificent beast that spies from afar, before swooping in and swooping up prey before they even have a chance to react. Which is a contrast to the Hound's brutality. However, the Dog's strength was so great that the hawk couldn't hope to fight it on even grounds.
Which will make her eventual betrayal of the Family all the more difficult. Her first problem is the Black Hound, and despite all of her telekinesis and skill, she knows that she'll get steamrolled in a fight against him - and he's god damn resilient. The Blessed Three on the other hand... each of them are so powerful that she was unlikely to take them out in a direct fight. And that's not even taking in account their army of Metahumans.
The odds were against Veronica, but that just meant she needed an ace in her fight... and lots of equally powerful allies.
Ah. That was Veronica for you. Who has a day off and devotes way too much thought to the tyrants. She was going to enjoy this day... and the night's still young. The young raven-haired woman was merely lying down in her bathtub. With candles lit all around. The woman almost fell asleep because it was so cathartic. Her skin was absorbing the oils and nutrients that she had placed into the water. Maybe she'd be able to enjoy this bath without Makoto interrupting her.
However, the woman noticed that her skin was getting pruned, so maybe she spent too long in this bath. Besides, she wanted to do more than just laze around in this bathtub all day. The woman stepped out of the bath, and exposed her body to the oddly cool air - her body that people would kill for - and stepped into some bunny slippers as she stepped over to the towel and dried herself off. She stepped out of the bathroom, and into her bedroom as she put on her outfit for the night. It was more in line with her basic attire. A white dress shirt, and some jeans, with some tall black heels, and many bracelets and earrings.
With that out the way, the woman stepped out of her apartment and locked the door behind her. Roaming through the halls of her apartment complex until she stepped out the front door into the street... any other woman would be terrified to roam at this hour, but the freaks and misfits of this city should be afraid of her. Because the woman was armed to the teeth with a concealed pistol, and a variety of throwing knives. Prepared to take on the world, yes.
...A National Guard truck sped on by, and Veronica could only chuckle.
They were only making this situation worse. They were spreading fear. Though, what could they do? The Hound's known for his rather... abrupt entrances. They could have soldiers all over the city, but still had little preparation for what the Hound would do next. But, that was the funny thing. The Hound. Veronica merely got on her motorcycle, and sped off into the distance.
Makoto Koda.
Strong-Gold Community, Silver Hills.
A day off for Makoto meant a day of rest. Literally.
The woman had delegated herself to her home that she had rented out for a period of time of course... in the Strong Gold Community. The one place built by that rather attractive man, Jiao-Long. She chose to live here because why not? The man made homes for people to live in. This place would be perfect for Makoto during her time in Baybridge.
Makoto was sleeping in her bed in nothing but her black underwear. Her variety of tattoos - such as her tattoo of an eastern dragon that starts at her ankle and goes all the way to her upper chest with PROSPERITY written above it - were shown quite well in the moonlight that was shining into the room.
However, Makoto wasn't the only one in the bed. She was sharing it with a friend - or more accurately, friends that she would never go without.
An all black cat that had a matured layer of fur slept curled up in a ball right up against Makoto's sides. While another, younger calico had delegated to one of the corners of the bed sleeping on it's side. Two kittens that Makoto had taken off the street and personally domesticated were sleeping on her stomach, with their legs folded underneath their bodies. And those were the many pets a dangerous assassin had adopted.
Makoto was slowly awakening, noticing the balls of fur that were all pressed against her. The woman brushed off her eyes, and grabbed the kittens off her stomach and put them on the bed. Oh God... what time is it? Makoto thought to herself, before she looked at the clock politely informing her that it was eight o'clock. Usually, the Hound had her go kill people, or something devious, at night time, so it just became habit to just sleep during the day. Today was one of the rare days she got a day off.
...And then she realized that she had nothing to do.
She could always go annoy Veronica... but, she had the feeling grumps would be even less receptive to her harassment on their day off. So, maybe Makoto would check up on a few things. Run a few errands, shall we say. The woman got up from her bed after brushing the rest of her cats away. They all had awakened in quick order and followed her all the way to her dresser as she merely put on some jeans, a T-shirt, and a black coat over it. However, the woman had omitted weapons for today. She's merely going out on the town, not murdering anyone - and if she did get into any trouble, she could simply teleport away.
As Makoto walked to her living room, she thought about all the things that happened in the last week. Specifically, who was at fault. The Family thought that it was a little too suspicious that two different intruders come along while the Hound and a bulk of their forces would be busy. Almost like somebody was feeding them information. Well, Makoto's ass was covered because she was recovering that one mark when all of this was going on... and getting her ass kicked by that storm-guy. They still had no idea who that guy was!
Well, the two of them better know what they're doing because they'd have hell to pay if the Hound gets their hands on them.
Eh. Maybe they realized they were in deep shit and found themselves a good rock to hide under - that's what Makoto would do if she had the Family on her ass. But, that was the least of her concerns right now. Makoto made it to the door, and saw that her cats were right there. "Alright, mama's heading out..." Makoto said right as she closed the door.
The case was safe in the back of Ellen’s closet once more, the strange charging contraption tucked in beside it. Ellen hadn’t really seen Upgrade since then, which was a shame. After all the girl had helped her, opened up the case, even if it had been something so simple as a dead battery. Still, it had been a service, and Upgrade had taken her money. After all of that she’d have been surprised if they were friends. Even so, it would have been nice to have someone that she was a little closer to. She hadn’t seen much of Wendy recently, it seemed that the older girl had been even more committed to training than she had. Most of the time Ellen took advantage of her nocturnal habits to train in peace, after all, even at the Academy she had been ‘the freak’ it was just easier to let people go on thinking that.
Physically she’d changed, she hardly recognised herself when she looked in the mirror, and for once it wasn’t because of her power, it was because of her. She was toned now, fitter, far from the scrawny teen she had been months before. True, there was much further to go, she wouldn’t be impressing anyone, but she could see it in her face.
Maybe it was something about her ability, she’d woken up, dressed, and gotten all the way to the training room, intending to spend the day working out what ability she’d developed. It hadn’t been until she’d realised the whole process had taken her less than sixty seconds that it became obvious to her. The five minute jog across the campus had been a blur, but it was always a blur, simply a means to an end. She was a different person now, and the person she had to thank, was Mannequin. The man… machine… creature who had given her this chance to change her life.
He was locked away now, imprisoned with a long list of crimes pinned to him. She’d watched the news, and now she didn’t know what to make of him. It seemed impossible that the creature who had given her that opportunity could be the cold, manipulative monster that the news reports had painted. There hadn’t been a trial yet, that was still a little way away, but Ellen couldn’t help but feel that the odd, strangely sad ceramic man was being scapegoated. She wished there was something she could do about it.
Seraphine Campbell
This wasn’t the first night that Seraphine had woken up with someone else in her bed. What it was however, was the first night that she wasn’t sharing it with them. She stretched awkwardly as she raised herself from the couch and walked to the door through to her bedroom, it was open, and the petite blonde was still asleep underneath the covers. She was snoring faintly, and Seraphine smiled to herself. It was kind of cute, although she wasn’t surprised that the RAVEN agent was still out of it, she had packed away a surprising amount of alcohol last night. If she hadn’t seen it Seraphine wouldn’t have believed that a human being could consume that quantity of booze and not suffer from liver failure. As it was she was amazed the blonde could stand up, although admittedly not particularly steadily. It had taken two of her to walk the unsteady Alice back to her room and put her to sleep in her bed.
Seraphine hadn’t expected to see the agent who had saved her life again, Baybridge was a big city, but then Seraphine could be in more places at once than anyone else. It had still been happenstance though. Strongriver Plaza was a higher class area, full of expensive bars and clubs, but there were just as many dirty dives in the alleyways surrounding it. She’d run across Alice there, walking dejectedly out of one of the sticky floored bars, the blonde, clearly already a few drinks in, had recognised her. Charmed by the merry agent, and a little concerned, Seraphine had convinced her to accompany her to a slightly more savoury location. It had cost her a promise of free drinks for the night, but it ended up with them at least in a better area. From there it had simply been a matter of listening to the woman’s woes until the early hours of the morning, and then carting her back to her apartment.
She wasn’t, strictly speaking, supposed to have guests, but she figured that bending the rules couldn’t hurt too much. Alice had saved her life, and Seraphine didn’t like being in debt to others. It certainly couldn’t be a disadvantage to have a friend in RAVEN. A friend who had drunkenly tried to kiss her last night.
She heard Alice begin to stir in the other room, “good morning! You hungry?”
There was a sound of scuffling, muffled cursing, and then a dull thump. Concerned, Seraphine made her way back into the bedroom, to discover it empty, the sheets thrown back. No RAVEN agent.
Alice Barrett
Alice had awoken with a groan to realise that she was not in her own bed. No, this one definitely belonged to someone else. She rubbed her forehead as she rolled over, looking about the room. She couldn’t remember much of last night, which was really how most of her nights had passed over the last few weeks. This was a first though, and it definitely wasn’t a guy’s room. Her train of thought was interrupted by a voice from another room, a woman’s voice.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck… not again. Fuck!”
The bed sheets settled slowly over the space that Alice had previously occupied, but she was already gone, just over a half mile away in her own apartment. She stumbled into the bathroom to vomit and splash cold water on her face. She ended up staring into the mirror. She looked like shit.
There was an unhealthy tinge to her skin, deep shadows beneath her eyes, and that look in her eyes again. The same look that she thought she’d managed to forget. The look that told her that she’d failed, that she hated herself. Now it was worse, she felt like she’d betrayed more than just herself and God this time. She glanced at her phone, abandoned on her kitchen counter last night, hoping for the screen to light up indicating a call. It failed to do so.
“Fuck!”
She needed something to take the edge of, to fight back the biting headache that was advancing through her skull, something that would make her feel better than aspirin. She poured herself a drink, downing it before pouring another, taking that one slower. She was losing control now, feeling everything spiralling out of her reach. The riot, the mall, all of it, she’d always thought she was meant to be a cop; RAVEN just seemed like the logical next step. Now she was beginning to question if she’d made the right decision at all.
She needed to think, she needed a shower and she needed someone to talk to.
Half an hour later she vanished from her apartment to reappear outside her church, rosary clutched desperately between her fingers.
Written in collaboration with @Mr Allen J Somewhere outside Baybridge, Washington
"Remain inconspicuous, but utilitarian."
That's what "they" said, "they", the "big mysterious father" that looks after his children - presumably with orbital missiles locked on your location should you double cross them, as the organization the man worked for didn't really seem like the type of people that would let him off with a slap on a wrist. They operated large scale, with just-as-large plans, and one had to wonder if they also had a just-as-large ego if they thought they could control the feng shui of the world. They even had to go and control what car he had to drive.
As they put it, "inconspicuous, but utilitarian."
Abraham didn't know that meant he had to drive a 2013 Ford Taurus. You know what Ford meant? Let him break it down for you:
"Found On Roadside Dead." Abe muttered.
F-O-R-D. Ford.
If Abe had any say in it, he'd be cruising in a luxury Benz or something. It was 2022 for crying out loud, he was wondering the whole time while driving the nine year old rust bucket if it would finally kick the can between New Mexico and the beaches of Washington... but if there was any one thing he had to give it credit for, it was the trunk space. He could hide a body in there. Well, not that he did, but nor that he wouldn't. What he did have, though, was a false bottom hiding all of his toys; and you can bet that, despite his lack of love for the carriage of bottom-feeders, he's taken care of the car. Cleaning, waxing, taking off that horrible Ford decal on the front - he wasn't about to make it look like he was riding inside an old leather shoe.
The roadways were, for the most part, not well maintained. Not like they used to be, when all of the tax dollars could go to repairing them. Nowadays, it was all about security. The meta management organizations and the like, repairing homes and businesses from super power backlash, prison processing, legal processing - there wasn't enough money to go around to take care of the countrysides. The only thing that might have made the trip worthwhile were the sights. Washington was a beautiful state, he had to admit. Conifers, mountains, crags, lakes and rivers, and the way the sun glowed as it dipped at the horizon just gave the whole atmosphere a feeling of calm, which complimented the smell of pine in the chill air. He suspected that would all change as soon as he rolled into the city. He wasn't terribly upset about it. Abe preferred living urban.
"In the next half-mile, take right exit 155 onto Midway Avenue in Washington. Then, in the next two miles, you will meet your destination."
Abe smiled. Finally, this drive from hell was almost over.
"Siri," Abraham said. The phone beeped in response. "Take me to DOVE/RAVEN joint headquarters."
"Calculating..."
Abe reassessed the instructions to himself. First, apply for RAVEN. Word had it that a lot of good men died, so they must be dying to get their hands on some more. Get it? Anyway, word also has it that since the great Blackmore perished seven years back, an old acquaintence may have picked up where he left off. The next Blackmore son. Two, gain their trust. He had to be careful not to show off too much, otherwise they might be suspicious of any prior training, and should that be the case, where he might have gotten it. He might be trained to mislead telepaths, but it might be a mental battle from there on - and they might have more than one. At the same time, show off just enough that they can recognize his value. Three, slowly leak information to his employers. RAVEN no doubt has very valuable intel and resources that Abe's employers would appreciate having. Keeping a tab on their activity can show them where and where not to look, if they haven't already found it themselves. Four...
Infiltrate the Founding Family. Gather their information, destroy their resources, and eliminate his targets. Kill anybody that could compromise his mission.
DOVE/RAVEN Joint Headquarters
It took another fifteen minutes of travel, between the city traffic and lights, and getting from one side of Baybridge to the other was no picnic. Abe already hated it here, reminding him a little too much of Boston. But, in the end, this is the kind of place Abe would know like the back of his hand. While he may not like it, he'll do well here... assuming he steered clear of the National Guard patrols, and had an exit plan in case they decided they decided to search all throughout his car and find something like, say, I don't know, an entire arsenal? One man can only hope. Rolling into the front parking lot of the joint headquarters, Abe eyed the security cameras littered about the place, counting at least a dozen with undoubtedly more lurking about. When he gets in, first things first, look for a back door. Every place has a blind spot, it was only a matter of finding it.
The builing itself was less impressive than Abe thought it would be. Though this was coming from a guy that used to be living it up. He opened up the door, and let his boots touch the pavement. From right there you can see that Abe doesn't too terribly humbly. The boots were a Danner Acadia brand, top of the line, with the only thing reportedly wrong with them is its price tag. He wore faded Vermani jeans, secured tightly with a fabric belt, and peculiarly, a fitted gray dress shirt by D&G. He figured that since this was technically a job interview, he might as well look professional from the waist up, yes? But considering how an assassin could be on his ass at any moment, or have some idiot trying to mug him, going for the whole suit and shoes would be utterly stupid. What they got ruined? Now that'd be the real shame.
He took two lochs of his dreads and tied the whole head of hair back in a ponytail. As a gentle breeze blew across the city from the lake, a chill came over him. Perhaps he was spending too much time down south, if he couldn't get used to the cold anymore. He paced to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and withdrew his black wool peacoat. He paused for a moment, second guessing - then lifted up the false bottom on his car, being sure to block the view from any pedestrians and the cameras. There lay what looked to be an arsenal of weaponry, guns strewn across the bottom of the trunk of all sizes and purposes, and gun parts to better fit high caliber rifles in the small space, and strapped to the false bottom were an array of knives and blades and gadgets. He slowly took a Sig Sauer pocket pistol and placed it into the inside pocket of his coat. He closed the false bottom and then the trunk, and discreetly left the vehicle. As he walked across the parking lot, throwing his coat on, a woman caught his eye as she was coming out of her own car. He kept up the stare, because, well, the Lord did quite the fine work on this looker - woo! What a beauty!
Until she caught his stare, and Abe just tried to play it off with a charming smile and straightened his gaze back to the door.
The redhaired woman caught sight of the tall and mysterious man as she was merely getting out of her car to finish up some paperwork. The man was certainly mysterious... and Scarlet personally had an eye out for suspicious people ever since London was outed as a mole, and the Hound started really putting pressure on the agency.
She should report this.
Abe pushed open the front door of the building and confidently entered the foyer of the joint headquarters. It was a quaint little atmosphere they had here, though the most he could compliment was the woodwork on the furniture. He stared ahead at the desk, where sat a Spanish woman who looked to be about his own age. He paused to look at her with an appraising eye, before gently smiling in amusement. It appeared that these folks only hired the pretty ones. DOVE must be full of pushovers.
When he approached the desk, the man cleared his throat to catch her attention and promptly held his hands behind his back.
"Hello ma'am," Abe greeted. The slightest hint of his Boston accent was leaking through.
Tonight, it was Marianela Porras that was assigned to the front desk. Normally, no one would be showing up at this hour, but she was pleasantly surprised to be approached by a tall African-American man. She wasn't especially suspicious of him... but, what business does he have in the agency headquarters at this hour?
Well, there's a reason why they keep a shotgun under the front desk.
Marianela leaned in forward, and smiled at Abe. She was wearing a suit - with the DOVE symbol on her shoulder. "Hello, sir," She started off, cordial as always, "How can I help you?"
"Well, you see," Abe started, "I don't know your protocol for handling this type of thing, so I figure I might as well get right onto it - I want to enlist in RAVEN."
"Oh?" Marianela said, honestly surprised. "Oh, well, then fill out this form..." Marianela said as she quickly dug through a filing cabinet to produce a clipboard that had a form attached to it. The form had the usual questions (Such as name, age, and other personal questions). She put the form on the desk, and pushed it across and presented it to Abe, who eagerly took it into his hands to scan the questions quickly before writing anything down.
"So, when this is done," Abe said as he started writing down his name, "what comes next?"
"We are going to discuss what you want to do, your intentions for joining RAVEN, and then I'll set you up for an interview," Marianela explained. "After the interview, you will do a rather lengthy test that will help us gauge how well you preform in certain, and how much you know. Then after that is the physical. If everything goes well, you'll have to wait a few days for us to process this, then you'll be placed in training."
"It's a good wait then." Abe sighed somberly. His sex? He got the impression that writing "yes please" wouldn't fly well. He filled in the circle next to male and continued on with the more in-depth information. Phone number, social security, mailing address - mailing address? Abe groaned.
"Eh... I just came from Massachusetts," Abe lied, "and coming here is one of the first things I did, so I haven't found a place to crash yet. Would it be fine if we just... withhold that for now?"
"For now, yes. Our agency is very understanding."
"That's good."
Abe started checking off questions down the list. Metahuman, yes or no - yes - what kind? Elemental. Criminal history? Flawless - Abe cracked a smile as he answered - past jobs? Uh... security detail. Bouncer. So on and so forth. Education? Milton Academy, with honors, and the scholarships he has been offered upon graduation, both in academia and sports. Even the Babson College accepted his letter, but Abe didn't follow through on the business career his father wanted him to follow. Academy 218. Huh. That was actually something he could bring up to this lovely young lady here, see if it can get him anywhere.
"Darlin', this reminds me - I've attended the 218 Academy some few years ago. It's been a while, but I wonder, can that get me anywhere or accelerate your processing?"
"Hmmm... That certainly will help, sir." Marianela said.
"Heeeeeeey!" A booming voice loudly announced as loud footsteps approached. When Abe turned his head, he recognized the man that he went to Academy 218 with. Donned in the most impressive armor RAVEN could buy. "Abe, you're one person I never expected to see here - did you get arrested or something?"
Marianela rolled her eyes.
"Well, I'll be damned!" Abe declared as he marched forward to grab the RAVEN's hand. "Drake fucking Blackmore! Get real man, you don't think there ain't a soul alive that can keep up with me?"
Drake stuck out his hand for a good ol' friendly handshake.
"I hope you haven't lost your edge, yeah." Drake quickly replied. "Because it ain't like those metal arenas, there's fuckin' monsters out here, man"
Immediately the man, alarmed, whipped around with a hand raised to his mouth as he looked back at Marianela. "Ooooh, right, I'm supposed to be applying. I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't mean to be unprofessional!"
"It is okay, sir." Marianela said politely.
"Anyways, that form should be done." Abe told her, then looked again at Drake with a wink. "Give me two weeks, and by then you'll be reporting to me."
"You wish." Drake pointed at his badge. "I got seniority in this bitch."
Marianela then facepalmed... these two will be her coworkers soon!
"So, that next step!" Abe declared as he whipped around to face Marianela at the desk. "You wanted to talk about my future here or something? What I want, intentions, the touchy feely stuff?"
'Because, chica, I can do touchy feely.'
"Oh yes... I'd like to know your reasons behind joining RAVEN."
Drake leaned in and whispered.
"... This is the part where they try - and fail - to weed out the assholes." He snickered.
Abe smiled looking out the corner of his eyes to Drake, but he looked back at Marianela and he appeared a bit grimmer than before as he held his hands behind them. 'Straight to the point? Yeah... let's get straight to the point.'
"I want to help you destroy the Founding Family." Abe stated matter-of-factly.
Both Drake and Marianela looked at Abe.
The latter in particular was honestly curious as to how Abe knows about the Family since that was a secret within the Agency - outside the Agency, the Hound and his Intimidation Unit were seemingly unaffiliated. That made the woman suspicious. "... And what do you know of this Family?"
"I have my reasons." Abe assured. He looked to the computer that was beside her. "If you're a federal organization, I'm assuming you've got the same kind of database? Look up a name that should have a case connected to it. Samuel Gene."
Abe then looked at Drake solemnly. "One thing I never told you was that I had a little brother."
Turning back to Marianela, Abe continued. "Case probably states that it was an internal affair, a bodyguard gone rogue. While the police settled it at the first answer they found, I never left it alone. After ten years, I traced his background all the way to a group called the Founding Family. I guess they wanted to ransom my father, since I come from a wealthy household."
The only thing true about Abe's story was his brother's death, but there was no way to prove his story regarding the Family's connection being wrong as far as he was concerned. RAVEN should know better than anyone that the Family was elusive. Ten dedicated years might be enough to open forbidden doors. 'Not that those doors exist anywhere.'
While Abe was explaining, Marianela was focused on bringing up the case on her computer. She thoroughly examined it, and it was true that his brother was killed - but there wasn't any discernable ties between Samuel's death, and the Family. But, at the same time, Marianela knew that the Family were quite power hungry....
"I... understand." Marienela said.
She was a bit more convinced, but she would definitely have to put this down so they can keep an eye on Abe. Just to make sure he doesn't get blinded by his anger, and charge in....
"... I'm sorry to hear that, Abe." Drake somberly said, knowing how loss felt. There were no words to describe the grief he felt when the NEST Agents came to his home and told him that his father had died in the Verthaven Disaster.
"Ten years." Abe repeated. "If you can help me settle this... I'm sorry, when I help you take this Founding Family or whatever down, consider me in your debt. I'll be a RAVEN in spirit as well as in name."
"We'll do what we can...." Marianela said. "But, I'm also curious as to how you tracked them."
"I'm rich." Abe stated simply. "I can afford many services - and you can learn a lot by common connections. That was a real complex network, let me tell you. I can also tell you that whatever database the Family has is probably a filing cabinent. Ain't nobody able to hack into pen and paper."
That wasn't the answer that Marianela was looking for...but, she was certain that, no matter how many questions she asks, he won't tell. She'll definitely have to key an eye on Abraham.
"Anyways..." Abe began, turning the current away from depressing waters, then clocking Drake in the shoulder with a giant fist. "Little old Korean Breeze here could give me a shining recommendation, couldn't he?"
Drake grinned as he turned to Marianela, leaned in real close and said, "... Hey, this guy's an asshole," Drake started, "Don't hire him."
Abe sighed and rolled his eyes. He joked, "And Drake was the poster boy for skinny jeans, yet here he is."
"I promise I won't waste your time." He added with a wink.
"Heeeeey." Drake said in response. "But, yeah, Abe here is a great choice. The two of us can take the Hound on by ourselves! If only Val was here..." He mused.
Marianela was going to paraphrase Drake's recommendation only because she wants Drake to stop bugging her. "I'll make sure to put your recommendation on record..."
"Thank you very much, miss." Abe said smoothly. "Now! Since we got that out of the way, I'm gonna scope the city out a little bit, maybe find a hotel to stay in for a while before I find a more permanant address. I'll swing by again tomorrow."
"Have a good one!" Drake said, bidding farewell. "Watch your back, out there!"
Abe kept on walking and exited through the front door with a smirk on his face. It was good fortune that Drake came when he did. Having an agent in the agency in his pocket will come in handy, especially one so... loyal. Step one was almost complete. The cards were in his hand, and all he had to do was play them.
'Thank you Drake. You are far more useful than you think...'
A TV in the corner of the bar showed an interview of a man that was quite well known in the Metahuman world. Infamous, actually. Nolan Ulrich: the head of the Savior Foundation, and possessed seemingly limitless wealth. Wearing a suit in a comfortable chair as he talked to some skinny-TV personality who owned the talk show - the Evening Real - known as Piper Brownlee.
"...I know you probably got thousands of things you want to talk about today," Piper asked with a smile of teeth so white that they couldn't be real. "But, what are your thoughts on what happened in Baybridge a week ago? Crazy, isn't it?"
"It is certainly insane, yes," Nolan casually said with a shrug, and tilting his head slightly. "But, we must go to the root of the problem; people like the so called 'Black Hound'---" He finger quoted, "---receive abilities, and suddenly, a normal human being is transformed into a deranged terrorist. All because he had a taste of power for the first time in his life. What doesn't help the issue is Agents in the RAVEN organization suffering from a similar toxic mindset. For a so called 'humane alternative'---" Nolan finger quoted again, "---to NEST, they have so far demonstrated very little - well - consideration. They made foolish decision because the energy within them made them feel powerful. That they could do no harm, and---"
The TV scene suddenly shattered into pieces and rained down upon the ground with sparks, and caused quite a scene.
"...What a loada' bullshit," Cindy slurred, as her face blushed red, and she took a sip of her bourbon whiskey. The woman was wearing a red, polka-dot, dress, with tall wedge heels. Cindy was drunk. And sitting next to her was Meifeng Zhao, who was dressed less flashy with a leather jacket, a white T-shirt, and black denim jeans. Cindy continued her (partially) drunken rant, "We save the fuckin' day, again, and everyone treats us like we just dropped a fuckin' nuke on the mall instead of fuckin' save the day - and while I feel shitty as everyone else here that five people died on my watch, what do these dickheads think we could have done? Sing a song and magically pull everyone out the mall unharmed? Fuckin' sing Let It Go - because these assholes need to let it go."
Cindy slammed her drink on the table.
"News flash, if we gave the Hound what he wanted, they'd still be in our shit - like, don't they remember who we are?" Cindy's eyes shot open like she was surprised as she raised her arms up into the air. "We're the fuckin' Verthaven survivas' - we basically saved the world. Know what would have happened if we weren't there? The Devil, an', ah, Luis, and, ah, whoever the fuck else, would have ended the world with their stupid bullshit. And do we get any recognition for savin' the fuckin' world? No. Not one damn thing. Greatest story never told, everyone!"
"...You know they're gonna be pissed about the TV, Cindy," Meifeng said with a smile as she leaned in.
"I don't give a fuck, they turned the TV on just to put us on blast..." Cindy rolled her eyes up into her head.
Just as a break from all the insanity, and vitriol being leveled at RAVEN, Meifeng suggested that they spend their Friday night in bars. Just gathering the old crew together and having some fun. Meifeng chose the Bull Tavern in Starrybanks - it was one of the many coastline bars: pretty large, and had an old rustic feel to it because it was styled after Western Saloons. Only to get tourists. But, the group was in a corner.
"Bitch, I only had two sips, I sure as hell ain't drunk," Cindy said... before she hiccuped. "You shoulda seen me at like sixteen years old I was drinkin' a whole damn keg."
"That's amazing." Meifeng sarcastically said.
"Also shoved it in mah---"
"And that's too much information---"
"---That nobody wants to know," Shizuka added after Meifeng from across the table, looking between Cindy's reddening face and her whiskey with disgust. He took a sip of his own drink (non-alcoholic) before he spoke again, "Too bad that I won't be around to save your asses this time - I'm going to enjoy this break to the fullest extent... before I've to go back and deal with more work stupidity." Or if he had to put it even more bluntly: clean up everyone's mess, as usual.
"Well, you wanna' know why I was so quick to take the blame?" Cindy loudly said to Shizuka, facing him. "Because, I didn't wan' be the one that deals with this shitstorm. Like, I was hoping they'd suspend me instead. But, noooo, everyone needs a fuckin' scapegoat. Now I gotta deal with everyone bitchin', moanin', cryin'... whinin'..." Cindy trailed as she thought about it. Shizuka could only roll his eyes at her - this was the reason why he never liked to hang out at a bar with Cindy. Especially when she was this hopelessly drunk.
"Slow down on the drink, Cindy..." Reed grunted as he made his presence known. "I can hear you from across the damn room." As he approached, one could see that his stump had finally reformed into a hand, though he'd chosen to wear a glove over it and could be seen flexing it every couple of seconds, for reasons only known to him. He took a seat beside the others. "Sorry I'm late."
"Eh, I don't care," Cindy said to Reed, shrugging. "I came here to drink a stressful ass week away, and God damn I'm gonna do it."
"...I honestly think I should take her gun away." Meifeng shrugged.
"Yo, Reed," Shizuka greeted him cheerily, then the grin was quickly replaced with a solemn look. "...How's Quentin?" He might be as hard-headed as ever, but he wasn't that heartless not to feel some guilt for almost sending Reed's brother to a certain death with his insane idea.
"He's... doing better." Reed said, in a somewhat subdued tone. "Just got back from visiting him, actually. You should've heard him the day other when he heard about your uh... suspension. He looked ready to tear out his IV line."
"I'm sorry about his injury too," Shizuka murmured as he stirred his drink with the straw absentmindedly, the guilt inside him growing after hearing Quentin's reaction about his suspension. "Even if it's indirect, I was the one who sent him to deal with the Hound." And almost got him killed for that.
"What? Shizu, that's bullshit and we both know it. I know my brother better than anyone, he would've gone after the bastard either way." Reed allayed Shizuka's guilty sentiment.
"Eeeeyyyyyyyyy, don't sweat it guys," Cindy loudly said. "We make mistakes. We get hurt. But - what's that stupid phrase again? Whatevs doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger! So Quentin's black ass is going to be doing blackflips after he gets betta'!" She started drinking more bourbon that made Meifeng laugh a little.
"Yeah," Reed said, with a slight chuckle. "Something like that. Though I had to talk him out of trying to come with me."
"It's great to hear that Quentin is doing alright," Meifeng said as she took a small sip of her cinnamon whiskey, and smiled. "I wish Jade could have helped him, but she damn near killed herself on the night of the hostage situation trying to heal everyone, so she's too taking a break."
"Everyone's takin' a breaak these days," Cindy said raising her glass in the air and swinging it. "Is it because they don't want to touch all this stupid bullshit with a twelve foot stick? I understand, I understand... I get tired of worrying about all these stupid ass kids, and keepin' their stupid assess from killing themselves from doing stupid shit."
Cindy ranted, and not too many people were listening.
"If I have to give one more horny bastard a 'safe sex' speech, I'm going to tear my fuckin' braids out - because we all know we need them to keep makin' babies so we can have some god damn job security," Cindy said, and that was the point where Meifeng couldn't hold it in any longer and broke out into laughter. "What? I'm serious."
She raised a hand in the air. "But, ya' know, how are all these kids gettin' laid?" Cindy started off. "It's been yeeeeeeears since I got any dick."
Meifeng was caught so off guard by that statement that she spit all of her whiskey out, forcing an annoyed Shizuka to veer off to one side on reflex to dodge the alcohol. Reed, on the other hand, had to wipe a couple droplets of spittle off his gloved hand.
"What?" Cindy said. "My ass is like... huuuuuuuuuuuge. And for some reason, I can't get a single boyfriend to just bend me over my desk---"
"Okay, okay, okay, Cindy," Meifeng said in surprise waving her hands around. "You need to dial it down."
"Hey, you think I can bag that guy right there," Cindy pointed at a rather muscular Caucasian male at the bar counter. "Like, just lift up my dress and show him my ass - like I'm wearing one of those really tiny thongs. The ones where you don't just see part of my ass, but all of it. The whole da---"
"Alright, c'mon," Reed cut her off with a slightly reddened face. "I think you need to slow down on the whiskey." Shizuka just facepalmed; he was wishing that he hadn't come, and he was pretty close to phase into the floor beneath him just to get away from Cindy.
"Okay," Meifeng said, raising a finger into the air. "Who the hell wears a thong that shows 'your whole ass' when you're wearing a dress. A fuckin' dress. You didn't come here drunk Cindy!"
This time, Shizuka had to do a double facepalm. The way how the usual roles were reversed between the two girls made the already absurd scene even more ridiculous.
"Wait, hold on, both of you - just relax, alright?" Reed thumped his good hand against the table. "We're on edge. All of us. Let's just tone things down, alright?"
Cindy's eyes sharply went between each of her "friends" before the woman grabbed the whole bottle and started downing the whole bottle of bourbon at speeds that made Meifeng think she had a vacuum hidden inside of her.
"Stop her!" Meifeng shouted as she reached for the bottle - but Cindy stopped her with her hand. She was desperately trying to wrestle the bottle out of Cindy's hand.
Shizuka contemplated about helping Meifeng to snatch the bottle away from Cindy (it would be a total piece of cake for him, anyway), but he chose not to and merely watched the two struggling with one another - just like the tourists closest to them in the bar, pretending that he wasn't associated with the girls at all. He actually found the scene... amusing, but he didn't want to admit that.
"...Meifeng Zhao, decorated member of RAVEN and the 'hero' of Prague. Cindy Keagan, rather well renown DOVE that has been one of the many faces of the organization." Lihua made her rather unexpected entrance wearing a navy-blue dress, and holding her purse tightly in her hand while she stopped at the table. Giving the girls a sharp stare when they stopped wrestling for control over the bottle. "...Yet, you two are acting like a pair of drunken children right now."
"Oh... Miss Zhao..." Cindy tried to become prim and proper as she put the bottle of bourbon down. "Whazz..." she drunkly said. "Hee...llo."
"Great to see you made it, Mom," Meifeng said with a smile on her face. "Seems you missed the brunt of Cindy's drunken rambling." She laughed.
"Well, I would have preferred a laugh or two," Lihua calmly said as she sat down next to Meifeng.
"So, how's the 'Liu estate' treating you?" Meifeng asked.
"Jiao-Long is rarely there, and his daughters don't really bother me - probably because I've been staying out of their way," Lihua said, in a rather bitter tone. "Lijuan on the other hand is having a great time being showered with the affections of all her cousins." She snickered a little bit. "But, there's something off about the Liu manor... I just feel something wrong about the place the Liu family is hiding from me..."
"Maybe you're just paranoid, huh?" Meifeng asked with a raised eyebrow.
"There's a quote I refer to in regards to paranoia..." Lihua trailed off. "'You're only paranoid when you're wrong.'"
Meifeng just looked at her for a moment.
"So, how have you all been doing?" Lihua asked. "This has been a busy week, yes?"
Shizuka looked from Lihua to the drunk Cindy, then back to Lihua. "...I guess that's your answer." He shrugged. He was a little bit concerned about what Lihua had said with regards to the Liu family... whether it might be related to the phone call he had received last week, but maybe he was also being paranoid. Well, he could save the questions for later.
Lihua shrugged. "...I assume her week has been the hardest, yes?"
"Ya' damn straight!" Cindy loudly chimed in... before letting out an unladylike hiccup. "And guess who'ssss been keeping all hell from boiling over?" She pointed both thumbs at herself. "This sexy thing right here! Me!"
"...So hard that she's apparently forgot how to drink responsibly," Lihua snarked, before she looked at the... destroyed... TV. She was hoping to find a subject, but she came up with something. "...I heard the MIP was moving into Baybridge following all the chaos to help quell the Hound's."
"The MIP?" Meifeng asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Metahuman International Party," Lihua explained.
"Oh riiiiight, them," Meifeng said. "There's supposed to have a debate tomorrow with some Saviors... here in Baybridge." She shrugged.
"Whaaaaaaaaaa' abuncha dumbasses!" Cindy loudly said. "Who in their right mind would hava' conference thing when... when... the Hound is goin' 'round with his gun and killing people? In the very city he's fuckin' with, too! That shit is just beggin' for disaster!"
While Cindy was drunk as shit right now, she had a point that neither of the Zhaos could disagree with.
"Didya' know? I gotta be there as the DOVE re-pre-sentative," Cindy said. "So I get a front row seat to watch ta' Hound fuckin' that Nina' bitch through a portal!" She said as she raised her virtually empty bottle.
"Yes, Cindy." Meifeng laughed. "Well, I'd love to kick the Hound's ass as much as the next person, but I put in for a day off so I can attend the best party of the year!" Meifeng laughed.
"Haaa... will there be booze?" Cindy asked.
"It's my little cousin's birthday party."
"That don't mean shit," Cindy said. "I bet there's going to all manner of the really expensive shit there - and some really rich dudes, too! Which one do you think would make the best baby daddy?"
"...You're going to be hung over for a week straight," Lihua said as she raised her eyebrow. "And what kind of DOVE are you? Imagine if someone came in here that recognized you and saw you right now..."
"I'm the DOVE that needs a break!"
"At least nobody would be dumb enough to arrest her even in this state." Shizuka shook his head. "But honestly, those morons are doing exactly what the FF and their pet dog wanted - holding a stupid conference to argue over stupid things."
"While I do agree with the MIP's goals..." Lihua trailed off, as she realized she didn't even have a drink yet. "...I just don't agree with their methods. Truthfully, talking can only get you so far..." She followed it with a small bout of laughter. "Like racism, sexism, homophobia... There will always be people that hate Metahumans unconditionally, and that will never change with mere 'understanding'..." Lihua finger quoted.
Shizuka gave Lihua a curt nod, agreeing with her. "Rather than wasting time on something that will never be settled..." He took another swing of his drink. "Anyway, how's the investigation on the Hound and FF so far? Even if I'm suspended from RAVEN for now, it's not like this shitstorm is going to end in just one month." In fact, there was another assassination in UK not long ago - the sniper wore almost the same armor as the Hound, but Shizuka was certain that it was someone else, not the Hound himself. Still, that assassin had a similar aura as the Black Hound.
"Dunno where that asshole is, and I couldn't care any less right now!" Cindy drunkenly slurred. "Also, this has been on mah' mind for ages now: is he actually black under all that armor? Like black black?" She pointed at the back of her hand.
Meifeng facepalmed. "Ever since the mall, he hasn't appeared anywhere," she said. "Either he's taking a lot of time to recover, or he's just lulling us into a false sense of security. But," Meifeng raised her finger. "We found out one of the Hound's employers... Ezekiel Anagnos, heard of him?"
"He owns some huge biotech company or something, based somewhere in Europe..." Shizuka trailed off and frowned. "Can't remember the name - Anagnos-whatever. So he's with the FF?"
"More than just that - he's one of the people leading the bitch," Meifeng said... according to what Cindy had told her. "They call themselves the Blessed Three - a name reserved for the shittiest rap groups... we have no idea where he is."
"They suffered as much loss as us during the mall incident," Shizuka mused out loud, flexing the fingers of his right hand - the hand that had sent most of the Intimidation Unit in the mall to hell. "Plus the destroyed base and the freak lightning not far from us right after we freed the hostages... They aren't so 'blessed' after all, huh."
Meifeng put her arms behind her head, and grinned. "But, look at it like this: we're slowly unraveling the mystery behind the Family. Eventually, we'll get to the bottom of this."
Lihua just had to say something. "Hate to chime into your conversation..." Lihua said. "...But, 'eventually' doesn't cut it when this 'Family' could be planning something world changing."
"You know what I mean," Meifeng said, before she slammed a fist into her open palm. "We just gotta find them, and kick their ass. Simple as that."
Which made Lihua shake her head even harder.
Shizuka shared the same sentiment as Lihua at Meifeng's optimism. "I hate to disappoint you and deflate your confidence also, Mei, but FF isn't the only thing we'll be worrying about. Now that FF has the West under their control, they're going to expand to the East. Have you guys ever heard of a cult who call themselves 'Polaris'? Or Beidou Qixing," he added in Mandarin for Lihua's sake.
Polaris... That name was vaguely familiar. In her time with the Hei Long... Heh, it was funny. This was decades away, and she still remembered it all like yesterday - in fact, almost like it was a few minutes ago. Every death. Every vivid detail... was all safely stored in her beautiful mind. When she was fighting in the Chinese Civil War (less of fighting, and more of... deniable operations) she heard the name Polaris thrown around a few times, but never bothered to question it. Then she saw their depravity of close... and distanced herself from them as possible, realizing that they had immense power in the Chinese government.
"Beidou Qixing," Lihua repeated after Shizuka, speaking fluent Chinese. "During my... travels, I have most definitely encountered them... they are certainly a devious lot that will cause a tragedy, if they are not stopped now."
She turned towards Meifeng. "...They have so much power in the Chinese government that it's... frightening," Lihua started off, dramatically looking out the window. "After seeing how powerful they have become, and how their influence have corrupted the Chinese people..." She sharply gazed at Shizuka. "I have vowed to never step foot in China again..."
The dark truth was that Polaris wanted to perform a "ritual" of some sort on Meifeng as a child... and Lihua couldn't have that.
"Holly had been helping me to look into them while I was busy, and for the past few days I was able to do more research on them." Shizuka glanced from Lihua to Meifeng. "We believe that they're working with FF." He snorted. "The bad guys are smart enough to join forces to change the world for the worse, while everyone else is too busy fighting over anti-Meta nonsense to save this damned world from them."
Meifeng leaned back in her chair and sighed. More stupid bullshit to deal with. "While part of me wants to go... 'Oh let's let them solve their own problems!', it's only a matter of time until this 'Polaris' moves over to the States and becomes our problem."
"Actually," Shizuka had switched to Mandarin - whatever he was going to say next were only for the ears of the Zhao women. "The Chinese government already knows that Jiang's hiding in Baybridge - including you two. They probably even have spies stationed in this city to watch our every move." That was what unnerved Shizuka - from his phone conversation with Yang Wei, the Chinese agency seemed to know way too much about whatever's going on in Baybridge... The man sounded oddly confident, as if he already had Shizuka and his friends trapped between a rock and a hard place.
Meifeng almost dropped her glass... Aw damn it. She really wished that Shizuka had just told her... because what Shizuka just did was flare up Lihua's paranoia.
"They... damn it," Meifeng groaned in irritation. "We'll have to find a way to throw them off - I'll find a way. Don't you worry." Meifeng tried to reassure Lihua. "I wanted to ask Jiang a few questions about a special someone, but now it's becoming crystal clear that I gotta take care of him..." Meifeng said, before letting out a sharp sigh.
However, in all of this, Lihua was oddly calm. Her expression didn't change even slightly. "...Do not worry, Meifeng," Lihua said. "...Because I will kill Jiang myself."
"I'm not sure if killing him is an option you can risk - they want him to be handed over to them alive, or else... this will get even more fucked up." Shizuka raked a hand through his hair with muted frustration. This was the worst possible development - with Polaris joining forces with the Founding Family, they had an extremely powerful government backing them up, and vice versa. They couldn't afford to act rashly and make the situation even more complicated than it already was. "I've wanted to stay out of your family business as much as possible, but now I can't do that anymore - this has become my problem too."
Meifeng clapped her hands. "Then we'll just render the bastard brain-dead. It's a win-win for all of us."
Lihua facepalmed. Sometimes that child could get blinded by her own idealism.
"...If truly necessary, and I mean truly," Lihua spoke in Chinese, in a somber tone. "...I will surrender myself to the Chinese authorities."
Meifeng grabbed both sides of her head. "But, Mom, they'll kill you!"
"...If that's what it takes to keep you and Lijaun safe..." Lihua looked around for some alcohol, and snatched the whiskey Meifeng was drinking and downed it. "...Then that is a price I am more than ready to pay."
"I'll do whatever I can without having you to resort to that," Shizuka said in a firm voice, looking straight into Lihua's eyes. "...Lijuan still needs you." He blurted that out before he could stop himself - even if he had never thought of Lihua in a kind way, he felt that Lijuan didn't deserve to bear the weight of her mother's death, depriving herself of her mother's love for the rest of her childhood.
...Just like him and his twin.
"Lijuan..." Lihua trailed off... the boy had a point, yes. A very good point. But, she was ready to die for Lijaun and Meifeng. She accepted that fact a long time ago.
"Eh, I always get lost when you all speak Japanese, or Korean, or whatever the fuck ya'll speak," Cindy said as she took one more sip of her bourbon before it was all out. "Like ya'll all sound and look the same anyway."
That earned her a sharp stare from Reed, who'd opted to keep quiet during the obviously personal conversation between the Zhaos.
Meifeng's eyebrows furrowed harder than they ever have before. "...Cindy, I am going to whoop your ass so hard right now."
On the other hand, Lihua had a more subdued reaction, as she merely rolled her eyes and brushed the comment off.
Shizuka merely shrugged, not as bothered by Cindy's drunken bullshits as Meifeng. "Well, everyone's the same under the skin - just flesh and bone humans. But you might want to shut up for a bit." He glanced at the tourists around them, who were staring at the group.
"No, you shut up," Cindy said.
"...I'm about to just clock her with my elbow," Meifeng groaned.
"Do it," Shizuka said, glaring at Cindy. He was running out of patience with Cindy's bitchmouth, drunk or not.
"Please don't," Lihua said. "I hate to make this scene even bigger."
"And I'm not in the mood for hauling people back home to sober up," Reed added.
"Um..." a voice said, and caused all of them to look to see Jennifer Caspin. Awkwardly standing with her hands in her pocket (where she fully intended on keeping them until her damn hand grew back). She noticed how... tense the situation looked. Especially with Cindy intoxicated. "...Hi."
"Jen!" Meifeng loudly said. "You made it! Have a seat."
Jennifer sat right next to Reed, and kept her hands in her pocket.
"How have you been?" Meifeng asked.
Jennifer kept her lips sealed about the strange occurrence in the alleyway. She managed to fake a smile - she perfected her fake smiles in order to blend in - as she said, "Just peachy. It just took me a little while to get here because the bus was late."
"We need to get you a ride," Meifeng said. "A moped, a car, anything, because you know about the maniacs out there." She shrugged.
"...Yeah," Jennifer awkwardly said, more focused on keeping her missing hand hidden.
"So, you're staying for the long run, huh?" Reed asked, raising an eyebrow. There was something a little strange in how she'd just came in like that, all quiet, but he brushed it off.
She found it hard to believe that Reed was asking that - because she suddenly went doe-eyed. "...I'm never leaving you guys again." Jennifer started off. "I don't care what happens... I am here to stay, by your sides. Until it's all over." Judging by the smile it earned from him, the comment had earned his approval.
"Ayyye, that's my Jen," Meifeng said with a smile. "...I would wrap my arm around you... if you weren't all the way over there." With every word, her ego deflated.
"...Sorry," Jennifer said. "But, I don't want her throwing up on me."
"Understandable," Meifeng said. "So, why don't you get a drink?"
She wondered how long she could get away with her left hand being missing; but, at the same time, if she didn't get a drink they would get suspicious. "I don't really know drinks that well.... and I don't want what she's drinking." She pointed at Cindy.
"Don't worry, Jenny," Meifeng said as she got up. "Let me buy you a draank." She quoted that stupid song by T-Pain as she slid off.
"...I guess I will get something for myself," Lihua said as she followed.
"So, uh, Shizuka," Jennifer turned her attention onto him... she had the feeling that he didn't care for her that much. "How's, uh, Haruka doing?"
"He's fine," was Shizuka's curt reply. "As long as he doesn't fly out on impulse to ride off his boredom, he should be able to fully heal from those gun wounds in no time." Then his brows furrowed, struggling to try to be a bit nicer to her (even if he wouldn't bother to get along with her, she was still his idiot brother's friend). "...You feeling cold or something?" he finally asked, staring at her hands firmly in her pockets.
Sometimes Jennifer was amazed by people who couldn't heal from horrible injuries in a day. She was hoping that he was okay, since he too was in the hostage situation. Jennifer was wondering what the hell the Hound's interest was in her... Then, her head started hurting again. She tried to play it off, but now he was asking about her hand. Um. The last thing she wanted to do was tell everyone here that her hand was missing. "Yeah, I was holding onto a signpost while waiting for the bus and it got really cold... I hope I didn't get frostbite." That was the only thing she could bullshit off the top of her head.
"Riiiiiight..." Shizuka obviously didn't believe a word she said, a little pissed that she was treating him like a fool with such a brainless excuse. "...Show me your hands."
"Wha---" Jennifer said, put off by his aggressive approach. "...Back off." She returned the aggression, giving him a narrow glare as she was tempted to create a bone spear.
"Show me your hands," Shizuka merely repeated and returned her glare, his tone going colder with each word.
"Easy..." Reed warned him, sensing the brewing tensions.
Well, since he asked... Jennifer lifted up her sole hand, and flipped Shizuka off. She did get the reaction she was expecting from him - Shizuka lost his cool (he was already near breaking point after listening to Cindy's bitching the whole day) and walked up to her, seemingly ready to give her a piece of his mind; instead he grabbed her other arm and phased the hidden hand out of her pocket... only to see a stub.
"Shizuka!" Jennifer shouted. "You ass!"
"...Huh?" At this (very convenient) moment, Meifeng had returned with cinnamon whiskey to share with Jen (while Lihua had delegated to cold, hard, vodka). "...Jen, where the hell is your hand?"
She was quick to snatch her hand away, and try to hide it in a desperate attempt... but, alas, it was too late.
"Jen, answer my question," Meifeng said, as she sat down.
Forced into a corner, Jennifer looked from the left to the right and spoke honestly, "I... I-I... don't know!" She said.
"How do you 'don't know?'" Meifeng raised an eyebrow. "Hands don't just fuckin' fall off, Jenny."
"Please believe me! I was walking here, and everything went black... and when I woke up, I was face-down in an alley and my God damn hand was missing, and my head hurt, and..." Jennifer's heart rate was racing as her anger at Shizuka was rising. She faced him, and snarled at him, "...And how dare you? Putting your God damn hands on me like I'm a criminal!"
"The last time you lied to us - and I mean all of us here," Shizuka's tone remained controlled and icy. "You almost got everyone killed."
"...I almost killed everyone?!" Jennifer loudly said, repeating what Shizuka said with ice-cold venom. "That situation was out of my control, and you know it you ass." she hissed, before she realized that she was unintentionally activating her ability. Causing a bone spear to slowly protrude out of her hand. It didn't pierce, but she knew that she was getting violently angry.
She closed her eyes. "...I have to go." Jennifer said, before she quickly turned tail and ran out the building fast as she could.
That just left Meifeng and the others...
"...Shizuka!" Meifeng hissed at him. "Just what?!" She nearly dropped the alcohol, and slammed her hands on the table. "What the fuck is your problem?!" Meifeng asked. "You know she's been through a lot of shit, we all have, but that doesn't give you the right to do that on a suspicion."
Lihua just shook her head and stayed out of it. That Takashiro boy... he had a point with Jennifer, but his methods were far too... unemotional. Just the same as seven years ago, he's regressing all the progress he made with his friends.
Shizuka gritted his teeth - he felt too drained to deal with more stupidity from these girls (them and all their emo nonsense). "Look, I snapped because she gave me the finger, but if you truly want to help her, then do something to stop her from repeating the same bullshit as seven years ago."
He let out a frustrated sigh and continued, "You're right - her hand won't fall off just like that. She was assaulted on her way here, so it must've been cut off at that moment. And from the way she had reacted to me just now, it's obvious that she wouldn't just let her attacker cut her hand off so easily without putting up a fight." He closed his eyes. "This isn't some random mugging. Someone is clearly after her." ...But why? Who would want Jennifer's hand so badly to do this?
"But---" Meifeng tried to pronounce.
"Meifeng," Lihua chimed in, and stepped to Meifeng's side. "I understand your anger, but you cannot make such an... emotional decision now."
This night was not going well - with Cindy getting drunk off her ass, news that the government was tracking her, and now Jennifer's injury. Oh! I wonder what tomorrow holds. Maybe the Chinese invades America just to kill me... Lihua mused.
"He has the best interests at heart... but, I must say that he could have handled this better." Lihua just had to say. "But, we cannot argue when Jennifer could be in more danger," Lihua started off. "We don't know what happened, but her attacker could still be on the prowl..."
That was the perk of being Lihua Zhao - whenever she started speaking, everyone listened.
"I suggest that when we find her, you give her an apology, Takashiro."
Shizuka scowled, but he nodded without another word and drained his glass. He knew that he was at fault, that he shouldn't be so harsh to an emotionally unstable girl like Jennifer (she was even more troublesome than most girls he knew), but he felt that it was the only way he could slap her out of her edgy shit.
Meifeng was still a little pissed that Shizuka did that, but like Lihua said, Jen could be in more danger. Her concern for Jen outweighed her anger at Shizuka. Nodding her head, Meifeng silently agreed.
But, she realized something was wrong. Very wrong.
"...Where's Cindy?"
The look of horror on Reed's face told it all as he glanced across the room in search of her.
"...Heeeeeeey, sexy!" Cindy said as she plopped her behind down on the table occupied by a man and obviously his date. She lifted up her dress enough to show that - indeed - she was wearing a black lacy thong in between her plump rear. "Saw you sittin' here all alone and figured you could use some company." She then winked. "...Like whatcha' see, hot-stuff?"
"Ma'am, you are making me very uncomfortable."
"What? Not an asssssss-man?" Cindy said, hands drifted up towards her dress, before she exposed her black bra, slowly revealing an uncomfortably lot about her. "Well, I ain't got much titty, but---"
"Cindy!" Meifeng shouted as she snatched Cindy and pulled her away.
"That's enough drink," Reed said, facepalming as Meifeng pulled her away from the target of her unwanted advances. "Can you get her back home safe? I'm gonna see if I can find Jen before anything happens to her."
"Yeah, yeah," Meifeng said dismissively as she carried Cindy off towards her car. "Just go find Jennifer, for me."
"I will join you," Lihua said a she finished her drink in a hurry to catch up with Reed. "I am personally curious about Jennifer... and I have nothing better to do tonight."
"Wait, Shizu!" Cindy shouted out to her tempered friend who was standing up. "I gotta ask, is your dick small like em' stereotype? I'm asking because it could be huuuuuge, like a black dude with a small one. Just ask Reed!"
The latter of the two chose not to dignify Cindy's drunken ramblings with an answer, whilst Shizuka was well past the point to care about whatever Cindy was rambling (though he still slammed his empty glass onto the table and glowered at his drunk colleague). "...I'll go with Lihua and Reed," those words came out more forcefully than intended. "I... still owe Jen an apology; we also need to ask her more questions about her hand."
Lihua just shook her head.
"...It's best we find Jennifer before someone else does."
Above the downtown streets and melting in with the night sky, Aislin crouched on an apartment roof. She wore a CID uniform, a dark, fitted outfit made for movement. After six days of rest, Hallmark sent her on a small contract. A job she’d been itching for. With a duffle bag resting by her feet, Aislin began pulling out her tools of the trade.
The target for the evening: Phil Dolman. A politician held in modest regard and known for his fence-sitting with Metahumans. Not that Aislin was there for his diplomatic views; her contractor was more interested in his time off work. Hallmark was approached by the man’s wife, asking for evidence that Phil was cheating on her. She said it was nothing new, but if she wanted to win in a court of law, she had to get hard evidence.
18th floor. Purple folding chair on the balcony. Aislin recounted, pulling out a tablet and resting it by her feet. From her vantage point, she could see the target’s home. Only a few floors from the roof, with a fire escape adjacent to the balcony.
Taking a stuffed cat from the bag, Aislin held it gently. “Missy, rise and shine.” The cotton-stuffed cat held a rigid position before stirring, a paw rubbing its sleepy eyes. Meowing as Aislin set it down, Missy brushed its face on her leg.
“Voicebox, check. Let’s see if your eyes work.” Aislin pulled up an app on her tablet. A video feed showed the hazy outline of a leg and a faint illumination. It was her on screen, as Missy was still nuzzling her. A column on the side also confirmed audio levels were recording.
Aislin gave Missy a nod. Showtime, cutie. The cat descended the fire escape, pausing at the gap between the staircase and the target's balcony. It sprung up to the metal railing, balancing delicately against the wind. Haunches coiled, the cat leapt across to the other side, landing silently in the folding chair.
The lights were turned on in the living room, two individuals sitting in plain view with a bottle of wine. Aslin studied the tablet, recognising the politician from the job file. The woman beside him was finely dressed, a plastic smile on her face. Aislin noticed the woman's wine was left untouched. Either the lady was paid to be there or needed sobriety to effectively schmooze with men of power.
Keeping a part of her attention focused on Missy, Aislin sat in for the waiting part of the job. Maybe a half hour passed. Probably more. Finally, the mood became a lot more intimate as clothes were thrown to the wayside. From the balcony, Missy could see every detail. Aislin refrained from making a face, waiting only a minute more before commanding Missy back to the roof.
Gently releasing Missy from her mind, Aislin checked the lifeless cat once more before quietly placing it in the duffle bag. Cutting out the important piece of the recording Missy took, the agent sent it over a secure line to HQ.
Pressing a button on her earpiece, Aislin radioed in. “Boss~! It’s CT. I’m uploading contract 245 to you now.”
“Thanks, CT,” Hallmark said. “We’ve just received the package. I have another job for you.”
Aislin pursed her lips. “Yes?”
“We’ve lost contact with a courier, codename Aegis. The alarm system notified us, and we know the emergency hatch was opened. The safehouse is no longer secure, and I need you to activate the manual destruct. I’ll send the details to your device.”
“And this courier?” Aislin asked.
“See if you can find us any leads.”
“Right. CT out.”
Aislin yawned, lazily opening the package as new data popped up on the tablet. Her eyes skimmed the job file until they came to a stop on the courier’s face. She did a double-take, nearly dropping the tablet as she brought it up to her nose. Her mouth hung open, shock in her eyes.
There’s no mistaking it... That’s my boo. Rhea!
Old Raygate, Prince Ed-field
Roughly 50 minutes had passed since the chaos of Veronica and Makoto. The train container stood silently in the field, darkness hiding the destruction. Aislin approached cautiously, watching from her screen as Missy led the way. No one was in the vicinity, as Missy’s eyes confirmed, and Aislin pulled out a flashlight. She saw chairs thrown to the side, cupboards left hanging open and personal belongings decorating the floor. Fragments of a flashbang crunched under Aislin’s foot as she approached a whiteboard. Whoever was here wiped the whole thing, albeit hurriedly. Shreds of Rhea’s handwriting remained intact.
“I’m late, Rhea...” Aislin lowered her head. There was nothing here. No company laptop, no cell phone, no meaningful personal effects. Just abandoned clothes and a dead space.
She picked up on the blood trail from the emergency hatch, following it with her flashlight. Missy stayed close to her heels, meowing uncomfortably. The trail ended at a decrepit warehouse. Aislin played the beam across crates and broken glass, stepping inside. There were minor indications of a struggle, but it seemed to jump around. Strange… Someone might have taken long leaps or teleported. All she found was a pistol, the same used in the company’s bug-out bags. Except, there was no bag. Just the pistol. Five bullets remained in the clip.
Aislin placed the pistol in her duffle bag and pressed her earpiece. “CT here. I’m requesting a vehicle pick up at the Old Raygate’s power plant. We need to talk…”
Before she left, Aislin returned to the safehouse. She opened a secret compartment in the floor, twisted a few knobs, and evacuated the container before it caught on fire.
Rosemaple Lake, Roseview - Present time...
Aislin sat in her regular attire, leather jacket unzipped and aviators hooked on her shirt. She sat in a shaded room, light cutting through the half-shut blinds. Her elbows rested on a mahogany conference table, chin resting on overlapped hands.
Hallmark sat across from her, dressed to the nines as a proper CEO would be. His curly black hair was styled back and a Rolex glimmered on his wrist. On the table before him sat a china cup steaming with African coffee, along with a slim briefcase.
Hallmark eyed Aislin silently over his cup, taking a long sip. The silence drew on until Aislin rolled her eyes. Their encounter last week hadn’t gone well, especially the part where she was told Rhea had been in the company for over two years. It was ‘for their protection that co-workers never associated’. Aislin called his ‘privacy policy’ a load of bull, proceeded to tear him a new one and was escorted from the room by a security guard.
“If you’re pissed, just say so. I’m sorry I gave you shit for not telling me Aegis was Rhea. As I said, I’ve been looking for her for… a long time.” She said.
“CT, if I had a dollar for every time you’ve yelled at me…” Hallmark set down his cup. “No. I didn’t call you here to rebuke you. A suspicious job has come in, and my intel has told me it’s someone we know.”
Aislin tilted her head as Hallmark slid the briefcase over to her. He smiled knowingly. “This job, cracking a cellphone’s lock, belongs to Aegis.”
“Whaaat?” Aislin said, lights in her eyes. “But this job paid to be strictly anonymous.”
“Exactly, which is what piqued my interest.”
“Why, though?” Aislin gave the briefcase a confused look. “She’s MIA. Why would she put a job through us in secret?”
Hallmark leaned back in his seat, fingers pressed together. “Good question. I believe Aegis has been compromised in some way. I want you to deliver this job to her at the meeting point. Then radio me.”
Aislin raised an eyebrow, smirking. “You’re going to let her just walk away?”
A wolfish grin flashed across the CEO’s face. “I never said that.”
Rhea Harlow & Aislin Rose
New Raygate, Prince Ed-field
Rhea sat on a crate in an unassuming, narrow alley. Both Malik and she recovered well enough, and as always her healing left no scars. Adjusting to a lay-low lifestyle, however, left something to be desired. This was only her second time outside in a week. The first time was mainly for necessities as everything she owned was lost. Currently, her attire consisted of sweats, running shoes, and a grey hoodie.
Before finding her way to the meeting point, Rhea tentatively spied on the Founding Family’s base, or what was left of it. The entire place had been destroyed. No clues, no answers. Just a plastic bag rolling across the driveway.
Rhea shifted uncomfortably, heels bouncing as she sat. Waiting was incredibly boring. Sure, she should be concerned about who would be delivering the package. But it wasn’t like she knew any of the other couriers, plus she paid extra for the ‘no questions asked’ policy. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be any hassles with the pick-up, and then Malik and she could start phase two of tracking down Marcelle.
The courier was twenty minutes late. Are they making me wait? Rhea wondered, standing up to stretch.
At the end of the alley, a taxi cab stopped on the street. Rhea clicked her tongue, folding her arms. Finally…
A woman got out as the taxi rolled away, dressed in a leather jacket and slacks. She walked into the alley, slowly removing the aviators from her eyes. “Well. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”
Rhea’s eyes widened, her stomach twisting in a knot. “...”
Clipping the shades on her shirt, Aislin gestured to the briefcase. “You have a lot of nerve attempting to pull the wool over Hallmark's eyes. He says hi, by the way.”
“Shit.” Rhea mumbled, pressing a palm to her forehead.
Aislin stared at Rhea for a moment. “...Two and a half years.”
“What?”
Aislin shook her head. “You’ve ignored me for two and a half years without so much as a ‘thanks, bye’. I’ve tried to contact you, I’ve searched for you. And all the while, you didn’t give a shit.”
Rhea narrowed her eyes. “Can I just have my package—”
“No. You’re listening to me now.” Aislin growled. “If this is about your dangerous work, I’ll have you know that I’ve been working in secret with Hallmark for five years. And I kept in touch with you as I did my contracts.”
Shock flashed across Rhea’s face. “Well I,” her jaw jutted out. “I just wanted to protect you.”
“Pretending I’m dead was not the way to go about it. Didn’t our friendship mean anything to you?” Aislin said, tossing the briefcase at her.
Rhea plucked it from the air, swallowing the lump in her throat. She had no words to give. Aislin was right. She was always right. Feeling the heat burning in her cheeks, Rhea knew she needed to make an exit. Aislin couldn’t get the real answer from her. Not now, hopefully not ever.
As Rhea turned to leave, Aislin sighed. A small grin pulled at her lips. “...Rhea.”
Rhea gave the spy a side glance, pausing.
“I still want to be friends. I’ve... missed you, a lot.”
Rhea searched the ground wordlessly, turning her face away. She hurriedly wiped her eyes dry as she walked out the other side of the alley. She left without a goodbye, and Aislin let her go. They would see each other again, soon enough.
“This is CT,” Aislin said, tapping her comms. “Aegis has the job.”
“Good.” Hallmark’s voice crackled in her ear. “Lay low. I’ll notify you when I need you.”
Written in collaboration with @Estylwen. Courtbridge, Prince Edfield.
Rhea hailed a taxi the moment she left the alley. "Take me to the Chalet Apartments, 6588 Fair road."
While in the back, she carefully examined the briefcase. On the surface it seemed innocent, but since Hallmark knew it was her job, he likely bugged it. She popped open the case and began pulling at the stitching, tearing up the leather bed. The phone in question, of course, was accounted for. But Rhea couldn’t locate the bug.
As the taxi pulled up to the apartment, Rhea paid her driver and discreetly left the briefcase hidden under the seat. She eyed the taxi as it sped off. Hah. That’ll send them on a wild goose chase. With Marcelle’s phone held tight in her hand, Rhea left the street and buzzed the apartment’s front entrance.
"Oh?" Tanya's thick Jamaican accent pierced through the speaker at the front entrance. "You Malik's friend? Lemme' get the door!" A beep came from the door, followed by a loud click as Tanya unlocked the door for Rhea.
Rhea pulled on the metal handle, stepping into the apartment. Taking the right set of stairs, she made her way to the second floor and down the hall. Tanya conveniently left the door unbolted, and Rhea let herself in, locking it behind her.
“Hey Tanya,” she said, nodding to the woman. “Is Malik in, by chance?”
Tanya took a step to the side and revealed Malik lounging on the chair. He looked at her and immediately smiled.
"Hey, Rhea!" Malik joyfully said as he hopped off the couch. Wearing a simple T-shirt with Sonic the Hedgehog, and lime-green gym pants. He walked up to Rhea and asked, "You sort out that business you were supposed to?" Malik asked. "... Were you followed?"
Rhea gave his get-up a nod, a chuckle in her voice. “You look great.”
“Street was empty when I got here,” she noted, lifting up Marcelle’s phone like a prize. “In short, yes. We’re back in business.”
She handed it over to Malik. “I thought you should be the one to see it. Code’s been removed, so everything should be accessible.”
"Yes! Thank you very much!" Malik said as he snatched the phone from Rhea. This was the lead he was looking for - which was worth probably getting put on every kill list in the book. Malik quickly combed through her phone. He went through the contacts... and there was stuff like Veronica Davis, Makoto Koda... and the Foundation Woman? Odd. There was an urge to look up these numbers, but Malik was too afraid that they will end up with more attention on them.
Though, so far, he didn't find a single clue in the contacts other than people he doesn't have any idea about. So, he moved onto the text messages.
She was texting a dude called Graham Morris a lot.... but with nothing but numbers. Malik raised an eyebrow as his jaw dropped while trying to figure all this stupid shit out. First an X, then a Y, and a lot of numbers to the right of them. Malik was, quite frankly, confused as shit... Then it hit him.
"Waaaaaaait...." Malik said. "These are coordinates! She's been sending this Graham guy coordinates!"
Malik showed Rhea a random text with coordinates to something.
"But, to where...?" Malik asked himself, scratching the side of his head before he shrugged. "Never thought I'd make use of the coordinates app...." He said as he whipped out his own cellphone and began downloading a coordinate tracker
“Huh.” Rhea furrowed her brows. “The fact there’s no explanation with it, they both know it leads to something important, at least for them.”
Rhea moved to sit on the couch, her hands fidgeting. She eyed Malik as he waited for the app to download, her heart skipping a beat.
“About your phone, Malik. I… have a small confession.”
She took a deep breath. “I ran it through the place I work. To them, I’m MIA and they’re um, concerned. When I went to pick up your phone, I was told they knew I was involved.” She raised her hands. “Not that this puts you in any danger. I just... wanted to make you aware. I may need to have a chat with them.”
And, well, spill the beans on everything. Rhea grimaced.
"Involved?" Malik asked as he raised an eyebrow. What could they know? "But, if you need to sort this out then sort it out, I'll go it alone."
He looked Rhea dead in the eye.
"But, be careful... I don't think I'll be in the right place at the right time again."
Malik was still curious about that strange and mysterious contact of his that directed him to the base and gave him this clue. From his perspective, he was just given a lead and left to swim. Hmph. So be it. He's got dashing good looks, a powerful ability, and a great companion at his side.
Nothing's gonna stop me.
"The job was meant to be anonymous, but not this time..." Rhea shrugged. "I appreciate that. But I'm going with you to those coordinates. I'll... figure out something."
Malik merely shrugged.
"If you must, I'll wait for you, then."
At this point, the app finished downloaded and Malik went back to Marcelle's phone... Eh, the most recent text, before he punched in the coordinates. They end up somewhere in Courtbridge. Then he looked up some more, and another was in Stonecliff.... There's something going on here.
If he doesn't find Marcelle here, he'll at least get a clue.
"One of these coordinates are nearby... Man, I feel like such a spy."
Rhea smirked. “Alright. I know both of us are itching to get out, anyway. This whole lay-low thing… It’s kinda boring.”
She pulled on her shoes. “If it’s so close, we could freerun it.” She had a hand on the door, glancing back at Malik. “I’m gonna make a quick call. Do you think we’ll um, need anything for this investigation?”
"Nothing but the clothes on our back!" Malik said as he pointed a thumb at his back.
"Ya'll stay safe!" Tanya said as she was preparing some microwave ready noodles, and .
Two blocks down the street, Rhea found a pay phone. She swiped her credit card, dialed in a number, and heard the crackle of static on the line.
“Laundry Suites, how may I help?” A female voice spoke.
“Mel, it’s Aegis. I need Hallmark.” Rhea said, steeling herself.
The line abruptly cut out, and a familiar voice was put on. “Well, you have good timing. Look down the street.”
Rhea narrowed her eyes, glancing to the right. Miss Admin stood radiantly beside a black car, two security men in tow. She gave a formal wave as she walked toward the courier.
Rhea groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“You have some explaining to do, Aegis. They’re here to take you to HQ.” Hallmark said.
“No.” Rhea said stubbornly. “I’m really sorry I didn’t report in when the safehouse was compromised. I’ll tell you all the juicy details when I can. But right now, I need to be somewhere. Terrible people are looking for me—not you guys—so I'm laying low.”
Hallmark was silent for a moment. A button clicked. “Miss Admin, is she being honest with us?”
Miss Admin’s gaze drilled through Rhea, and she tapped her comms. “...Yes, sir.”
Rhea narrowed her eyes. “I know you’ve put a bug somewhere. I need you to deactivate it.”
“It runs on it’s own encrypted frequency. I don’t believe that will be necessary.” said Hallmark.
“It. Is.” Rhea said firmly. “Trust me.”
Hallmark chuckled. “Very well. When can I expect you at HQ?”
“From a couple days to a week.”
“I’ll hold you to it. We’ll discuss… appropriate discipline when you return. And do not keep me waiting.”
“Thank you, sir.” Rhea said, pursing her lips.
Honestly, it was the best outcome she could hope for. Not that it made going to HQ later any more appealing. She clicked the phone back on its rack, glared at Miss Admin and her lap dogs, and took a different route back to the apartment.
As Tanya buzzed her in once more, Rhea facepalmed. I forgot to ask where the bug was…
The two traveled over the rooftops of Courtbridge... You know, Malik thought that this city was beautiful at night. Every city's beautiful. From Dubai, to Madrid, to Berlin... and he had a load of fun free running on them. He made a hop, before stopping with a roll on the rooftop. He kept running until he reached the edge.
He pulled out his phone, and looked at the coordinate GPS Malik had found... and according to it, he was right over it.
"... Apparently, we're right above the spot," Malik said, "And I mean right above it."
He looked around. It was a simple roof to a two story convenience store. The ones that have the store on the bottom, and an apartment on top! Malik was hoping to get off here before they realize they're up here. There was nothing out of the ordinary.
Rhea gave the roof a once-over. “Hm. I was expecting something a little more suspicious-looking.”
She used the water drain as a way down, fire-poling into the alley. Walking the perimeter of the building, she noted the empty parking lot, trash scattered in the back, and paint covering up old graffiti. Poking her head into the street, she deemed it quiet enough to sneak a glance into the shop's window.
"Ugh!" Malik loudly said as he found nothing. He put his hands on the side of his head as emotions flared. "We'll have to check the next place!" He accidentally activated his storm powers in the midst of his freak out. Violent winds had appeared and stirred some dust up.
Rhea raised a hand in an effort to shield herself. With her eyes squinted against the sand, she tried to sound reassuring. "We're probably just missing something."
By the time the storms had stopped, Malik had already calmed himself down and stopped it. Rhea had a point here, and he mentally kicked himself for such a breakout for nothing. He loudly sighed.
"... You're right." Malik said. "... Think we might have to dig a little deeper into this convenience store before-" He spoke as he turned his body towards the edge of the roof... and saw something conspicuous.
A bunch of the rocks were knocked loose on the rooftop's edge. Almost like it was loosely put together. Well, Marcelle's ability was secreting a sticky substance that gradually loosens. Malik knelt down, and pulled the rest of the stones away... and inside the wall, Malik pulled out a small spike shaped object that was embedded into the wall.
But, it had a cap and everything! Was it like...? Was it one of those dead drop Malik sees in the movies?
"Oh my god." Rhea said, peering over Malik's shoulder, a wild grin on her face. "You might have just hit the motherload. See if you can unscrew the cap."
"Doing it!" Malik shouted as he unscrewed the cap, and threw it aside. He poured the contents into his hands... and it was just one USB drive. A really cheap one you could get from Walmart. But, Malik knew better than to underestimate the power of the USB drive!
"Hmm, looks like we need a computer. Are we heading back to Tanya's, then?" Rhea asked.
"Yup." Malik said. "I think the rest are dead drops, too! All sent to a Graham Morris guy... maybe we should look into him...."
Rhea was puzzled. "So why didn't this Graham guy pick up his dead drop...?"
"Maybe he's busy?" Malik suggested. "She's been sending him a lot, actually. So he may be busy picking them all up."
He then shrugged before walking to the edge of the roof, and getting ready to jump... when he saw the fire escape.
They got back to Tanya's apartment without a single problem. Malik made sure that the door was triple locked (the third lock being a chair) while everyone (even the small Tanya) were gathered around Tanya's laptop - which was normally reserved for Tanya contacting people for a music gig. The laptop was placed upon the kitchen table, and Malik was sitting at it. He briefly looked between his group, and then looked at the USB drive in his hand.
"What are we waiting for!?" He asked, "Let's hook this up!"
"... This better not put a virus on my laptop, Malik," Tanya chimed in, her accent thick as ever. "I need this."
"It's cool, I'll just buy you another one!" Malik proudly said as he put the USB drive in. It wasn't long before the folder opened up on their laptop, and he raised an eyebrow.
It had only one file, a video file.
August_16_2022.
Without another word, Malik pressed the file, and it opened up. Instead of a video, it was a black screen, and it was Marcelle's voice speaking. Malik recognized that French accent from anywhere!
"Marcelle's log one: August sixteenth. It's been one month since the Overload Crisis... and I am still on this foreign exchange program on behalf of the DGMHS. America isn't that bad, but I need to focus on the task at hand; my infiltration of the so called "Founding Family." I don't even know how I got involved in all of this, I wasn't even one of the top agents and I get pulled into an off by the DGSE to tell me about a lead they had found on the "Beast" that destroyed Prague early on this year..."
"They stated that they had tracked it to this organization - they, they had something to do with the Beast. If they didn't create it, they had a hand in it. So, I was given a simple mission, gain the Family's trust, and infiltrate the Family on behalf of the French. I started out in the Family's French branch, and it was amazing how much of Europe they got under their thumb."
"In America, I met a MISW agent that was on my side... Graham Morris. He told me that he wanted to destroy the Family before they completely take over Europe, but they had effectively taken over the British Military, including the MISW, so he didn't dare speak up. They sent him away on Foreign Exchange so he wouldn't connect the dots... and well, they didn't do it fast enough because he connected all the dots."
"I've been working in their... Intimidation Unit as a spy for RAVEN. They just wanted me to leak some information to them, and I did. Then they asked me to kill a RAVEN off-duty... and oh God, it was the Hound himself giving me the order... in person."
"Despite his ridiculous name... seeing him up close sends chills down my spine. And the fact he could crush my spine didn't help. He's like a God damn devil. Nobody knows how to kill him. If he even can be killed. After the job, I met two of my associate spies... Veronica Davis, and Makoto Koda, or more appropriately, The Terror and Onryo."
"They told me we were "partners in crime," and after the Asian lady grabbed me inappropriately, they told me I best not disapppoint the Hound... that I "really won't like him when he's disappointed."
"... It honestly sounded like they knew I was a mole. That's why I'm logging my progress against the Family. For Graham to recover and use as evidence should I die."
"I don't know what shit I got myself into, but I hope I can get myself out of it. Just so I can see Malik again.... Marcelle, out."
The video came to an end, and Malik was somberly looking at the computer screen.
"Marcelle..." Malik trailed off, staring at it. He shook his head. "... So, that explains a little bit. Like who Graham is, we should really look him up."
Shit... Rhea grimaced, massaging her temples. Why is the problem always bigger than I imagine?
"And the rest of those dead drops." Rhea gave Malik troubled a look. "We need to hear the rest of what Marcelle's logged. She did, however, shed some light on the two assassins you saved me from. I knew them as The Terror and Makoto. I'm assuming Veronica must be her actual name."
Malik nodded his head. "We need to find them ASAP... but, I'm wondering if we should turn this info over to the feds."
"Wise." Rhea nodded. "Especially with what happened last week at the mall. RAVEN needs all the information they can get on the Family. But, would they try to interfere with our investigation?"
"Yeah... and what if we paint an even bigger target on our backs?" Malik asked. "Since the FF is so powerful, could they have infiltrated RAVEN?"
"Hearing what Marcelle said, I'd say it's very unlikely they don't have some mole in RAVEN..." Rhea sighed. "There has to be a discreet way to give the higher-ups there an edge."
"Personally," Malik started off, biting his fingers slightly. "I think we should keep these dead drops to ourselves... at least until we find Marcelle. It's crazy out there, and we ain't sure what'll happen when we put this info out there."
Malik explained.
"This early...? We just be making it harder for us."
Rhea pressed her fingers together, brows furrow. "No, you're right. We still don't know enough. So... I guess our focus would be on two things, then. The drops, and Marcelle's contact."
"This way," Reed said as he rounded the corner on their way out of the bar, "Jen can't have gotten far."
Lihua patiently followed behind Reed, swaying her hips with every step, with Shizuka bringing up the rear of the trio. She didn't think Jennifer could have gotten far, but what she did think was her aggressor could have gotten plenty of time to have their way with Jennifer again. However, should Jennifer be in danger, she has the full might of the Zhao matriarch at her side, and few could contend with it... then it came to her.
"...How about we call Jennifer?" Lihua asked. "It's more sane than mindlessly searching around for her."
"Good idea," Shizuka agreed, shrugging. At this rate it would take them forever to find that aggravating girl. "...I don't have her number, though." Why would he have her contact details? They weren't even...
'Friends'.
She might be friends with Haruka, but that didn't mean he would automatically become dandy with her just like his elder twin; he was well aware that she didn't like him as much as he wanted to avoid her. He couldn't help feeling paranoid about her comeback - even if she didn't mean anyone harm, her presence, her very existence, spelled nothing but impending doom to him and his brother. He didn't hate her - he genuinely thought he could try to give her a chance, given their experience back in Verthaven - but now he's so done with her emo bullshit.
"I don't have her number either... I could get it from Meifeng, but..." Lihua followed her statement with a shrug.
Reed dug a hand into his pocket and fished out his phone, speaking up, "I've got it." After finding her in his contacts, he started to call her.
"Oh, Mr. Takashiro, there was something I wanted to discuss with you," Lihua said, walking over towards Shizuka with a calm, casual look on her face. She looked at him. "I have to personally say that both you and Jennifer were at fault here. You for escalating the situation, and Jennifer for hiding useful information from us," she bluntly said, without a care that Shizuka could take it the wrong way.
"You still seem to have difficulties dealing with people, yes?" Lihua asked. "While I can say that you have the best interests at heart, you needed to take other people and their issues into consideration... See from their perspective, yes. Jennifer might be frightened, or could have been intimidated into keeping silence."
Shizuka let out a sigh. To think that he would get a lecture from Lihua of all people... considering the kind of things she had done in the past to be able to stand here today, he thought sarcastically. Still, he listened to her quietly, and he knew that she was right.
"...I shouldn't be so rough to her," he began. "I guess I'm feeling tired to deal with her... emotional issues. How is this fair, that she expects me to try to understand her, but she refused to be honest with us... with herself?" he sighed again, and looked to one side.
"The girl is confused, simple as that," Lihua said as she reached into her purse and pulled out a flask... filled with a vodka combination of vodka and iced tea, that she managed to put together from the various drinks in the Liu household. She drank some of the alcohol, before wiping her mouth off with her sleeve. "Inside her head must be a million different thoughts, weighed back by the past, while attempting to push on into the future when she doesn't have the strength to..."
Lihua shrugged.
"She likely believes that she's doing everyone else a favor by keeping herself closed off to the rest of the world," Lihua said. "That she doesn't want to become a burden for the rest of the world by making us worry about her... but, keeps herself closed up until we absolutely can't ignore the problem anymore." She took another sip.
"...If she doesn't stop now, we'll only repeat what happened in Verthaven."
"Yeah..." Shizuka put his hands into his pockets, agreeing with Lihua. "She's doing the complete opposite: the more she keeps to herself and thinks that she's trying to stay out of our way, it only makes everything unnecessarily complicated... She thinks she's trying to protect her friends, but she's unknowingly hurting them more."
"'No man is an island', after all," Lihua agreed, quoting a line that she heard before. "Every human being is connected to the world in ways that they don't acknowledge..."
There was more that she had to say, however. She didn't just think that Jennifer was wrong here...
"But, at the same time, take a moment, and think," Lihua started off, and took another sip... she should go back in the bar and get a refill. "...We have already gotten across that you were far too inconsiderate in regards to Jennifer, but have you ever thought about learning something from her?" she asked.
Shizuka looked at Lihua curiously. "You mean...?"
"You can learn more from the people you detest than the people you are on good terms with, find out things about yourself that you didn't quite know before," Lihua was quick to voice that piece of philosophy. "Even the likes of Luis... just ask yourself this one question, and this one question alone..."
Lihua turned the cap back onto her flask, and faced away from Shizuka as she looked at the street. Then she dropped the big question on Shizuka...
"...What would you do if you were put in Jennifer's situation seven years ago?" she finished the statement with a sharp glare, paying close attention to everything about Shizuka. Every moment, even the most subtle, were logged in that head of hers.
"...I'll admit that I'd still prioritize my own family above all else," he replied, recalling the time when he chose to save his twin instead of Jennifer in the end. "That I'll do whatever it takes to save my family, even if it means I've to sacrifice my friends or comrades... or even myself. To be honest, I never really blamed her for what she did, because I knew I'd do the same." He let out a sarcastic laugh. "Ironic, isn't it? I can't bring myself to hate her even though Haru almost died because of her." Not just once... but on the few occasions when they crossed paths with each other.
"Our cultures value family above all else," Lihua was quick to say, very softly. Then she abruptly raised a finger in the air. "In the end, there will be no friends, no allies... only family... Ha, that was one thing I noticed about America..." Lihua trailed off with a coy smile on her face. "While it isn't as pronounced as our own, you can tell that many people hold the same sentiment."
Lihua laughed a little bit, non-sarcastically.
"Jennifer most likely wasn't intending on throwing all of us 'under the bus', as they say," Lihua started off. "She was forced into a desperate situation, and she was hoping that she could get an easy out to this situation... when there was none."
Shizuka looked straight into Lihua's eyes. "I know that: to save someone, I'll have to sacrifice another. I can't save both." Then he relaxed, and shrugged. "I guess I'm sacrificing my... 'friendship' with her to stop her from repeating the same mistake. She's right - back then everything was out of her control, out of everyone's control. But now it's different. If I have to play the bad guy to wake her up, then so be it." He could afford that role, since they were probably never going to be friends at this rate.
"And, truthfully," Lihua was quick to agree with him. "You just have to be rough with her, if that's the only way she'll improve. Because Ms. Caspin has spent her entire life coddled, and she can barely function when faced with adversity... but, in a way, I do feel sorry for her."
And that was honestly spoken as it could be.
"She grew up with no friends, and lived a life of, well, nothing - then when she develops superpowers, she finally gets the companionship that she has desperately desired... only to have it all dashed away by a madman."
Though, there was something inherently amusing about all of this.
"...It's almost like a bad joke, yes?" Lihua rhetorically asked, smiling. "She's like the universe's plaything."
"We all are," he murmured, quietly to himself. Then he spoke louder, "I know nothing much about Jennifer - I'm the last person she'd ever want to talk to anyway - but if we have met under better circumstances, I could've tried to be friends with her. We wouldn't have become like this." And he truly meant that.
"But, you can say that about a lot of people," Lihua was quick to reply. "And just because you are like this, doesn't mean it has to be," Lihua said. "Plaything analogy aside, there isn't an invisible force forcing you two to be against each other... but, at the same time, not everyone is meant to be a friend; you can just agree that, while you don't hate each other, your differences stop you from being friends." Lihua was probably overloading him with philosophy at this point. She just had to giggle like a schoolgirl for a second. She only lived for fifty years, but it felt like she had two-hundred years of experience.
"Aaaaah, this is all so complicated," Lihua mused out loud. "Experiences like this are why I prefer to be on my lonesome."
Shizuka merely gave her an amused look. "Haru said that you've changed... and you've certainly changed, even though sometimes I still feel that same prideful vibe from you... just more subtle."
Lihua laughed, covering her mouth. "I'd say that I became less arrogant, and condescending..." She gave him a playful look. "...But, with so many things to be proud of, my pride is still as strong as ever."
Meanwhile...
After the second time had failed, Reed made one last attempt to dial Jen. While Jennifer didn't answer her phone, the sharp scream that pierced through the air was more of a clue to the trio.
Before the others could get a word in, Reed bolted in the direction of the scream.
"Wait---" Lihua called out, sticking her hand out, before she resigned and started chasing after Reed... fast as she could in heels. Which was basically a slow jog that even an eighty year old could outpace. "I'm not as fast as I used to be..." she muttered.
Shizuka raised an eyebrow at her. "...Maybe you should just forget about those heels." He could offer to carry her if he felt gracious enough, but no way he would do that with how huge she was compared to him. He decided to stay with Lihua instead of leaving her behind and following after Reed - it would be better for Jennifer to see Reed first, and Shizuka's presence might make that cranky girl throw another fit at him.
"...And run barefoot? On this dirty sidewalk? No thank you," Lihua quickly retorted.
Shizuka could only facepalm. Maybe he should take back his words - this woman is as vain as ever.
Scurrying off into an alleyway, Jennifer was trying to piece together what happened.
Shizuka - the others - just didn't understand. Why couldn't he just leave her alone? She's just as confused as he was, but she had to compose herself. She was literally diving into emptiness here, letting her anger to guide her to bad places... she was just about ready to try to kill Shizuka over a misunderstanding... there was no way she could take him on unless she could catch him off guard. Okay, just calm down Jennifer... it's all going to be okay. She tried to mentally reassure herself as she took in deep breaths over and over again. She was going to apologize to them... but, she she didn't know what to tell them because of what happened to her hand. She had already lost it.
"...Hey, broad," a man said as he walked up to her menacingly, producing a switch-blade. "Drop your clothes and get up against the wall." He pointed the knife at her, and she couldn't tell if he was being serious or not.
Even if she wasn't superpowered, all she had to do was run off.
"What are you deaf?" the man asked as he got closer, grabbing onto Jennifer by the neck and pushing her up against the wall. "...You and I are about to have a lot of---"
His statement was cut short when a bone spire came out of Jennifer's hand and pierced him through the thigh. He looked down, and what he saw was best compared to a horror movie.
He let out a loud scream.
It was Reed who was the first to witness the would-be thug clutching at his bloody thigh with one hand and frantically jabbing a blade at Jen with the other.
A cop's instincts kicked in from this point and without another word, Reed practically grappled with the man until he was able to twist his wrist, forcing him to drop the blade. Jennifer was quick to raise an eyebrow when Reed stepped into the mix... and she was quick to retract the blade, making it even worse as it oozed crimson.
"Reed!" Jennifer loudly said, feeling guilt that she almost killed this man. "I-I am so sorry! He... tried to... he tried to force himself on me and..."
"You f-f-fucking cunt, get of-off of me!" the man spat, cutting her off as Reed forced him to the ground. "Help! Help, I'm dying cos' of this freak!" He started to scream, until Reed planted his knee against his back and pressed down hard, eliciting more agonized groans.
"Don't tempt me to use force," The ex-cop's voice was a low growl and one could tell it was only the fact he had those instincts that kept him from delivering a beating of his own, instead resorting to planting his face against the hard ground. "There's some cable ties in my pocket," He began. "Left coat pocket. Pass them to me."
Jennifer reached into his pocket and pulled out what Reed had asked for and passed them to him, to which he began to bind the man's hands together behind his back.
At this point, Lihua had ran up to the scene... and immediately bent over and began panting heavily. Just a simple run like that was so straining that she had to take a break from a run as simple as that. Her weight wasn't helping. After collecting herself, she stood straight up, and looked directly at the scene and just had to raise an eyebrow. Reed was pinning a man to the ground, who had suffered an injury, while Jennifer was looking doe-eyed... what the hell happened here? She just had to gaze at Shizuka for a second.
Shizuka wasn't as tired - he pretty much got here at walking speed next to Lihua. He caught Lihua glancing at him; he merely sighed and shrugged to her before he said to Reed, "Better get that guy to a hospital or whatever to get his thigh treated, and let BPD handle the rest about him."
"Mr. Taylor, can you handle him?" Lihua asked as she walked up to Jennifer.
Having sufficiently restrained Jen's would-be attacker, Reed shifted backwards a little and bluntly planted a few fingers against where the girl's spike had pierced his thigh, then concentrated. "You're lucky I don't leave you to bleed out." Perhaps for just a second, he felt a semblance of his ability's original owner channeling through him as a part of him considered it, before he eventually shook the thought off.
Shizuka then turned his attention to Jennifer and waited silently. Half expecting an explanation from her, while the other half to avoid flipping another wrong switch in that emo girl's unstable mind.
"Shizuka... guys..." Jennifer said, as she grabbed onto her other arm. "I'm... sorry. I shouldn't of reacted like I did... I was just confused and scared, but if I just came clean from the beginning we could have avoided all this..."
Shizuka was a little surprised at how quickly the girl had apologized. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "...I'm sorry too - I shouldn't be so harsh with you." He stared straight into Jennifer's eyes. "Also... you are not alone in this world." Then he kept his mouth shut and looked away.
"I... accept your apology," Jennifer said, nodding her head.
At least she acknowledged it... Lihua thought to herself as she faced Jennifer. "I understand where you are coming from, but you have to acknowledge something..."
Jennifer looked up at the Zhao matriarch, and patiently awaited her response.
"While the death of your family was a tragedy that has saddened even me..." Lihua start off, reaching into her purse again and pulling out her flask. Gently turning the top as she spoke. "...You have to understand that, regardless of your tragedies, the world doesn't owe you anything." She just bluntly said as she drank some from her flask, when she wiped the rest of the alcohol off with her sleeve, she followed up, "Not an apology, no help, no happiness, nothing..."
Jennifer clenched her fists as she considered Lihua's words.
"That is up to you to find for yourself," Lihua said. "We are merely helping you out of kindness, but you also have to understand that, each of us, are being pushed to our... figurative limits. While we want to help you, you are making that difficult by being so secretive over things that could really help us... Prevention is better than the cure, after all."
"I..." Jennifer said as she looked down in shame, before she kept her mouth shut.
"You also have to understand that the world isn't going to stop what it's doing over your personal problems... This... Founding Family, yes?" Lihua looked at Shizuka for confirming, receiving a curt nod from him. "They are drowning the world in blood... The Black Hound... with every person he kills, they grow stronger. And I'm just going to be frank here: the threat they pose to the world is more important than your self-loathing..." She spoke each word with a stern honesty, and didn't care if Jennifer would take it the wrong way.
She drunk some of her alcohol, before she realized it was close to the bottom, and shrugged.
"So, you have to stop acting like you and your problems are the center of the universe," Lihua said. "And realize that no one has to help you."
Letting out a sharp exhale, Jennifer listened to every word that Lihua had to say. It was never her intention to act self-important - but, maybe she was getting blinded by her own lies. Honestly... she just wanted to live. "...You're right," Jennifer was quick to answer. "I have been acting selfish lately, really selfish. Even if I didn't mean to. I forgot that... there's other people - and they have problems, too!"
"Good..." Lihua said, screwing the cap back on, and put the flask back into her purse. "Now, I'll say one last thing," Lihua said, pointing her finger in Jennifer's face. "...From here on in, there will be no more secrets."
Jennifer sighed. "Okay... I keep saying that I have nothing to hide," Jennifer said. "But, it's about time I start acting that way."
She nodded her head.
"I was just confused... I just kept my mouth shut because... I didn't want anyone to worry about me. I didn't want to be a nuisance, but, I guess I just wasn't helping, right?" Jennifer shrugged as she looked off to the side. "I need to stop feeling sorry for myself, I... yeah, I'm going to stop myself here because I'm feeling sorry for myself again." She just frankly shrugged. "I spent so many years doing... well, nothing... and now I feel like it's time for me to do something..." She stared at her hand which was regenerating slowly. "...Because now I have all the time in the world."
"There is something you can do for us now," Shizuka finally spoke up again, when he felt that the whole philosophy lecture had pretty much come to an end between the two women. "You can start by telling us what happened to you, which made you lost that hand."
"I need you to believe me here," Jennifer said as she stared at Shizuka. "I was telling the truth back in the bar... I was walking here, then I woke up in an alleyway with my hand missing... and my head's been hurting like hell lately..." She said, truthfully as she could because she honestly had no idea what had happened. Maybe there was someone (or something) after her.
Shizuka considered what Jennifer had said - it sounded like the assaulter did more than just cutting off her hand. She kept mentioning that she had a headache - both when Meifeng asked about her hand in the bar just now, and here. Did they do something with her brain too? He thought about using his power on her to check for any physical injuries to her head just to be sure, but he held back, not wanting to repeat the same drama as the bar incident.
...This is so awkward and troublesome. Giving shits about how other people feel greatly hindered his decision-making, making it harder to get the more important things done... but it wouldn't do him much good if he provoked her again.
Jennifer stared off towards the side, towards Reed...
...And saw him stemming the flow off blood from her would-be attacker's wound with his ability. Jennifer could see Reed at full concentration as the blood seemed to flow back into the wound, clotting in mere moments.
Suddenly, Jennifer froze up as she stared at Reed. That looked... nah, it couldn't be. Could it? Jennifer was quite frankly shell-shocked as that ability made her regress mentally. Standing there doing nothing but stare. "...R-Reed..." she trailed off, her anger rising, before she shook it off. It couldn't be. She was just overreacting. "Um... I'll tell everyone everything... let's go back to the bar!" she said, full of passion and determination.
...But, Lihua was quick to deflate it by saying, "...Let's not. They were ready to kick us out."
"Oh?" Jennifer, who missed most of Cindy's antics, merely raised an eyebrow. "So, how about we just walk?" Then the mention of Cindy reminded her. "Oh, what about Cindy and Meifeng?"
"Cindy's drunk off her ass right now..." Lihua looked back at the bar and just laughed a little. "...I wish I could be there to see Cindy's reaction to showing the entire bar her rear." She laughed. "I suggest that we just walk... it's not like our enemies will send their army of loyal ninjas..." She wished that she could get a refill on her alcohol, but unfortunately no.
"Yeah..." Reed began, somewhat tired of the evening's events. "Look, you three go and I'll catch up once I've called in a cruiser from BPD."
Haruka Takashiro, and...
Greencrest Heights, White Coast_
Instead of going back to his aunt in Little Seapond after being discharged from the DOVE/RAVEN Headquarters' hospital wing, Haruka chose to stay at his twin's and Holly's shared apartment in Greencrest for awhile. The gun wounds had healed up nicely, but he was told to avoid doing strenuous physical work for another couple of days to avoid tearing open those holes again.
The shared house of his RAVEN siblings (Holly was like an older sister to him even if they weren't related by blood) was relatively clean and tidy, though there was a thin layer of dust collecting that suggested the two of them hadn't been around for days.
Which made him even unhappier towards his brother.
He could tell that Shizuka was trying to hide it from him, that the insane plan at the mall got him suspended from RAVEN for a month. He had expected that his pragmatic counterpart wouldn't be bothered much with something like that, cheering at getting a break off work (which he had been complaining about it for months), and would come to annoy Haruka with all his grand holiday plans. He wondered what his twin was doing now.
He turned on the TV - the news about the hostage incident was still a hot topic even after a week. He couldn't bear to look at all the hate posts on the various social media sites... and he didn't even want to face his college 'friends'. All those things only serve to add more oil to the fire - making him even more infuriated.
He, of all people, knew exactly how it felt like to be powerless.
Before he even got this air manipulation ability... He was constantly jealous of Shizuka, he knew he was weak and useless in a physical fight, he knew that he couldn't protect the ones he cherished and needed them to protect him instead...
He had both desired for, and feared, power.
The contradiction had always raged within him even till now - he didn't want to go back to being his powerless old self, yet he knew what his twin said was right: to save one person, he would have to hurt the others. He knew it all along, especially during the arena matches when he was still in the academy. In order to end the violent matches, he had to defeat every single one of his opponents... in cold blood.
Haruka could see where Shizuka was coming from with unsympathetic logic, but he still felt that his twin could have at least a pinch of regret for those unfortunate ones who had perished in the chaos to get away from the Black Hound.
...No, Shizuka did nothing wrong - it was just like he had said to one of Haruka's 'friends': DOVE and RAVEN were trying so hard to save the hostages, but what did they get? The public flamed them, and Shizuka ended up being the scapegoat for these ungrateful morons---
He tightened his grip on the beer can, almost crushing it in his hand. The thought of losing his 'good side' scared him. He took a sip of beer to calm himself down (Holly had kept some in the fridge; Shizuka would never drink alcohol). How long could he keep up with this 'nice guy' facade?
How long could he keep the angry beast caged deep inside of him?
He might not be as apt as Shizuka in a physical fight, but even his twin had admitted that Haruka would be formidable in a battle of tactics if he ever got serious, and that he understood people better than his brother. His air power might not be as destructive as the other elemental types, but his control over his ability was fast and precise; even with sheer willpower, he was still more accurate than most others. Nobody knew the full extent of his power except for his mentor Lihua, and his own brother.
If there was one thing that made him exactly the same as Shizuka...
He would do whatever it takes to protect his twin, even if he would have to get blood on his hands. No mercy, no moral bullshits. Especially since he had a superpower in his arsenal along with all the knowledge and information he had gained over the years---
What the heck am I thinking?
He turned off the TV and dumped the remaining beer in the can back into the fridge, then headed for the door. Maybe taking a walk would help to expel the dark thoughts out of his clouded mind.
The walk did help - he usually felt better outdoors, for the air indoors were stale and suffocating. He suddenly stopped before a cafe; Thanks-A-Latte. Wasn't this the place where he had met Jennifer a week ago? He thought about their conversation, and wondered if he should ask her to tell him the rest of her story.
He entered the shop, and a quick look at the counter hit him with a subtle disappointment. He walked up to one of the staff, and he was told that Jennifer was off from work today. As he was about to turn and leave the cafe, a woman brisked in through the door. Not just Haruka, but the eyes of almost every single person in the cafe were hopelessly sucked towards this lady.
She was a rather tall woman, made even taller with the stylish black heels. Diamond-studded golden belt tightened around her slim waist, which made her curvy figure show through even with the bright-red trenchcoat over a very dark green turtleneck. She wore heavy makeup with blood-colored lipstick, her eyes covered by a pair of sunglasses framed using jade, and a black derby sitting at an angle on her head.
"Can anyone speak Chinese here?" the lady said loudly, her sharp voice echoed throughout the silent store. No one responded or moved, and merely continued to gape at her.
"...I do," Haruka decided to turn back and walked towards the lady, offering his help. "I can help you to order your drink... Miss."
The lady looked down at Haruka, adjusting her sunglasses with a hand covered in leather gloves. "What a gentleman, to call me a 'Miss'! Let me offer you a drink for your good manners."
"It's okay, I'll just---"
Haruka started to protest, but the lady cut him off. "I insist."
Haruka could feel an aura of authority emitting from her, similar to the kind of feeling he got from a stern Lihua. "Um... okay." He gestured for the lady to go first, but she simply grabbed his arm and marched towards the counter in a few huge strides (well, she was taller than him).
"I'll have hot caffe mocha with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, largest size," she said, not looking at the signboards but at Haruka's face. "What would you like, my dear?"
Haruka faced the barista at the cashier and recited her order in English, then he added, "For me, I'll just have a small cup of hot green tea."
"Well, what did you order?" the lady pressed him.
"...Green tea," he replied truthfully. "I... prefer tea over coffee." It was a lie - he just didn't feel like having coffee at the moment.
"Oh," the lady sighed, disappointed. "No matter - I can get your number later so that I can treat you to a proper coffee the next time!"
Haruka could only gave her a weak smile - he felt that she would shush him again if he had rejected.
The lady frowned at the takeaway cups when their drinks came. However, she giggled, nudging Haruka's arm playfully. "You don't have to be so shy with me." Then she grabbed his arm and dragged him to one of the empty tables. "I have something that will greatly interest you - concerning someone very important to you. Are you sure you want to leave without listening to my story?"
Haruka sat down opposite of the lady, narrowing his eyes at the dangerous smile on her pastel-like face. He took a sip of his tea, but merely stared at the lady and kept quiet, waiting for her to continue.
The lady giggled again, and returned Haruka's glare with a smug look, pleased that she got his full attention. "You're even cuter when you're angry---"
Haruka cut her off coldly, "What is it about 'someone very important to me' that you want to talk about?"
The lady's smile broadened. "Very well. But first, we should start being frank with each other, you and I." She drank a bit of her coffee. "I'm here to look for your brother, Takashiro Shizuka - he has something extremely important in his possession that belonged me... to us. I heard that he's currently debarred from RAVEN for the time being... and he had paid the price for being too clever for his own good."
"...I wonder how I can help you, then? As you would probably have known, Shizuka hasn't contacted me ever since I got discharged," Haruka said in his usual polite tone, but it didn't quite reach the steely look in his eyes.
The lady laughed. "Wonderful... Perfect... The two of you are truly the children of that woman. She wasn't so useless, after all." She reached out a hand and caressed Haruka's face. "To think that the two of you have grown so much, and developed different sets of powers... when you both shared the same energy source."
Haruka locked his gaze with her. She knew about Asami? And what did she mean by her last line - about sharing the 'same energy source'?
She leaned in closer. "And the two of you are more than ready to return back to us, to your true parents - to Polaris."
Haruka flinched at the unexpected heat he felt on his cheek, from the lady's hand still on his face. Then the lady pulled back her hand slowly.
"Oh, how impolite of me not to introduce myself... I am Xing Huo, the Spirit of Fire in Polaris."
Lihua trailed off to herself as she drove through the gates of the Liu manor. She just hoped that Jennifer could sort out her problem before she drowns the whole lot of them in despair. Pulling into the rather large garage, Lihua slowly took steps out of the vehicle. The Liu estate was certainly a large building, Lihua hoped that she could find Lijaun here. Opening the doors to the garage, she turned her head off to the side, and walked down the hallway - before she noticed a blonde haired maid walking around and got her attention.
"Hello," Lihua greeted her. "Do you know where the children are?"
"Oh?" The maid said, unsure of where they are. "I heard some kids by the foyer."
"Thank you." Lihua said with a smile and marched over to the main foyer, and she heard the indistinct chattering that just had to belong to Lijuan and Honghui. When she approached the foyer from the side, she stopped for a moment, and listened to their conversation.
"Oh, Li!" The young Honghui said as he played with his action figure. He was a few years younger than Lijuan, so he was much smaller than the youngest Zhao. His facial features were much more in line with his father, and had a head of short black hair. He wasn't wearing any spectacular, just plain clothes that were picked up out of the store. He would exchange this bland clothing choice for a fancy suit that fits his measurements perfectly.
"Yes?" Lijuan said as she ceased playing with the toy car that normally belonged to Honghui. The younger Zhao was in clothes that she would normally wear around the house in the Zhao household - sky blue pajamas for night time. Just because she was staying in a mansion for awhile didn't mean she had to exchange her entire wardrobe for something fancy.
"What's that around your neck?" Honghui reached over towards Lijaun's power suppressant collar.
"Wait! Don't touch it!" The Zhao daughter said in a shrill, high-pitched voice as she tried to push Honghui away.
"Just let me see it!" Honghui was persistent, and this was the point where Lihua turned the corner and raised her finger to say.
"Listen baby, just-"
But, at that moment, Lijuan had pushed Honghui a little too hard, and she sent the young Liu child sprawling down the stairs. Lijuan let out a sharp yell as Honghui fell down out of shock for her actions. Lihua was practically running over to them - but that was hard in heels.
What happened next surprised her.
The boy loudly yelled in shock himself... but, when he did, his voice carried a near-invisible wave of some sort that traveled outwards at high speeds. Hitting everyone with some kind of wave. Lihua didn't feel anything from it, she just looked in confusion... A random butler just investigating what happened passed out unconscious instantly. While Lijuan was holding onto consciousness.
"I... I feel funn..." Lijaun said as she fell forward, ready to tumble down the stairs herself (and almost making Lihua hop out of her heels), when a white aura surrounded her, holding her in place. Lihua looked up to see Mika Liu, her oldest niece - a heavy-set girl with mousy glasses, and wearing a white dress - standing with her arm outstretched. Lijaun floated up into the air, and was gently placed down.
"... Thank you, Mika." Lihua said as she walked over to Lijaun and immediately checked for a pulse. Lijaun is perfectly fine, but she is unconscious. Right when Honghui manifests a... power? Well, the Liu family has officially surprised Lihua. But, she was wondering what the hell happened to her. "... What the hell happened to her?"
"Auntie," Mika said as she walked down the stairs. "It is a mystery to even me, it's... Honghui's ability. I know it's Cerebral in nature because I am capable of replicating it. But, I am unable to figure out it's exact effects."
While Lihua held Lijaun in her arms, she looked at Mika. "So, you mean that Honghui's a Metahuman, and no one thought it was a good idea to tell me?" Lihua narrowed her eyes. "Or even contact DOVE to figure it out?"
"Apologies, auntie," Mika said, bowing in shame. "Father said that he wanted to keep Honghui out of the eyes of the public until he is ready."
Lihua could only roll her eyes... she could understand why Jiao-Long wanted to keep Honghui safe, but what he did was cause problems within his own family. "... Have you even figured out what his ability is?"
"... What happened here?" Another feminine voice entered the mix, speaking in Chinese, and Lihua turned her head to see the rather short Chunhua... who would be classified as the Liu "Matriarch" if she wasn't so damn reclusive. "Honghui!" She quickly ran over to Honghui and knelt down, and tended to his wounds. She eventually picked up the child and carried him off without a word.
Ignoring what just happened, Mika turned towards Lihua and said, "I am not sure... I tested it on Lin, and she didn't react to it... but, a maid outside the room passed out," Mika said, nodding her head. "I believe it only works on normal humans..." Then she looked at Lijuan.
"... But, that just doesn't add up."
Lihua groaned, but Lijuan was beginning to wake up, and she looked down at her. Her investigator instincts made her open up Lijaun's eye.
"... I'm sorry." Lijaun regretfully said, tears running down her cheeks. "I... hurt more people. I'm so sorry...."
Lihua wiped her daughters tears away as she helped Lijaun to her feet. "It's okay, baby."
"Let's go for a walk..."
The two Zhaos had found themselves in the garden of the Liu Estate... which was a beautiful place. Greenflower Garden certainly lived up to it's name. The Liu family sure know how to make a great scenic garden. It was a massive garden that surrounded the Liu estate in beautiful shrubbery. It was weaved with pathways of elegant stone, and there were lamps that illuminated the estate. Lihua and Lijaun were walking down the path - with Lijaun simply wearing some flip flops out of her room.
Lihua looked down at Lijuan, who still looked distressed. "Baby..." She trailed off.
"Yes...?"
"You didn't mean to hurt Honghui..." Lihua said. "It was just an accident... and accidents... accidents just happen."
"... But, I also hurt my classmates in school," Lijaun said, sharply looking off to the side. "That's what my teachers said...."
"Your teachers are all fools..." Lihua said, before she realized what the root of the problem was. She was quick to reach into her purse, and pull out a specific key. This was a risk that Lihua was willing to take, if it meant Lijaun's happiness. "I know how I can help you, but you have to promise me to be careful. Promise me." Lihua said.
Lijaun was confused, but she was willing to give this a chance. "... I promise."
Without another word, Lihua stuck the key in the keyhole, and then turned it. The collar around her neck came off, and Lihua grabbed it. "It's about time that I taught you that you shouldn't be afraid of your ability." Lihua said, leaning over towards Lijaun with a warm, encouraging, smile on her face. "Just start by making a little flame. If it starts to be too much, tell me."
"But, mommy-"
"Just make a flame, I know you can do it," Lihua tried to encourage her, and Lijaun nodded her head. She stuck out her hand, and tried to concentrate... the best she could, in fact. All she wanted to do was make a flame. Holding her breath and focusing... Lijaun created a flame around her little hand. It was almost like a small torch.
"Good, good, good," Lihua said. "We're getting somewhere, now come with me." She grabbed Lijaun by her other hand and carried to an open field that was right next to a pond... a place where Lihua could safely throw Lijaun in case she begins to lose control.
"Now, you need to understand something... that flame in your hand... it's not a curse, but it is a gift," Lihua tried to give Lijaun confidence.
"But, I hurt people..."
"You have, but, it was not your fault... you were given a power that you don't quite understand," Lihua said, walking around Lijaun and sitting down next to the pond, and patted the ground next to her a few times as a signal for Lijaun to sit down. "But, while it can be scary, you have to realize that it can be your greatest strength..."
Lijaun looked at Lihua, before staring at the bright fire in her hand that illuminated the water.
"Once you learn this power, you will realize that it isn't frightening at all, but it can be your warmth in the darkness...." Lihua said, staring into the beautiful pond, which was made even more beautiful with the flame Lijaun was projecting. "... But, at the same time, it can ward monsters away, because this world is a strange one with no absolutes. Sometimes you'll feel like your only protection in the world is the flames that come from within."
Lihua said, as a finger drifted towards Lihua's chest and pressed it against it. The child was somewhat confused.
"You know... in my culture, Chinese culture, yes... fire is attributed to bravery, leadership, passion, and creativity," Lihua turned her head towards Lijaun and smiled. "That spells great things for you, Lijaun. Because when you were born, I just knew you'd do great things in your life... just like your older sister."
"Big sis?" Lijaun said.
"Yes... Meifeng, look at her now, she's out saving the world... but, you don't have to follow in her footsteps." Lihua flicked her wrist as she dismissed the claim. "This power will belong to you, and you alone, you don't owe the world anything, truthfully. And I want you to know that."
"But..." Lijuan said, as she stared at the flame, which suddenly got more intense and that worried the child... which snowballed out of control because that fear made the flame burn brighter. However, the fearless Zhao woman grabbed Lijaun by the wrist, and merely shoved her hand in the water. Extinguishing the flames.
"... See?! I can't even control it!" Lijaun said in fear.
"You can... you just have to believe in yourself... because you want to know something?"
Lijaun nodded her head.
"I used to have he same problem when I first developed my own ability... but, unlike yours, mine was far more destructive...." Lihua trailed off. "But, I pulled together the inner-strength and courage to master my ability, and to this day, I have used it as a stepping stone to achieve a new level of personal understanding."
Lihua grabbed a pebble, and then tossed it into the pond, skipping the stone across the water.
"Lijaun," Lihua said as the stone finally lost momentum and stopped.
"Let me tell you a story..."
Thirty-Four Years Ago...
Shanghai, China.
... Stumbling backwards, the sixteen year old Lihua stared at her aggressor with the eyes of a hawk. She barely flinched, she merely wiped the blood that was dripping out of her mouth away with the sleeve of her school uniform. Back then... Lihua was not even named Lihua, but instead, Qiaolian. She was, at seventeen, three inches shorter than she is right now - but, even then, she was a giant among her fellow Chinese. Her facial features were far less matured, and her body was nearly clean of scars. She still had the same sharp, piercing, brown eyes, and even if she wasn't tall, her well-toned, muscular, body was quite frightening. All to a workout rotine that she dedicated herself to... one that was going to take her straight to the olympics. What fat that she had went straight to her already-busty chest that only had much more growing to do. Black hair was tied in a pony-tail.
When she was done wiping her sleeve off - noting the red streak of blood staining her uniform - she looked up at the group of girls in front of her. All wearing the same uniform, and laughing at her. There was another girl with a similar build to herself, standing in front.
"Now, what did you say about my family, you big freak of nature?" The girl said with a cocky look on her face.
That was just a challenge to Qiaolian. She opened her mouth and hissed clear as day,"... What? Did three generations of inbreeding ruin your hearing, too?" Qiaolian grinned as the girl was just about ready to explode. "You and your inbred family needs to get the hell out of Shanghai, and get back to your farm in Mongolia."
The girl was just about ready to boil over, and Qiaolian just wanted to add that little push that would send her flying over the edge. "That way, you and your father can make the next generation of Chens without anyone else getting in the way of your forbidden love..."
And that was the final straw. The girl let out a yell as she just ran at Qiaolian with the intent of killing her. With her fist cocked back, she was fairly predictable for the analytic Liu girl. She dropped into her Tai-Chi stance with her legs slightly wider than shoulder width and had her arms ready. When the girl finally threw the punch, Qiaolian swiped her arm upwards and deflected the punch - while using the motion to push her palms into the girl's exposed chest.
Tai-Chi was known for it's graceful movements that didn't require strength... but, still packed a punch. The girl got the wind knocked out of her chest and she was sent stumbling backwards, but Qiaolian didn't let up the pressure. She stepped forward and launched a kick right at the girl's groin that made her scream in pain because such a powerful attack was being sent at such a sensitive area. When her foot hit the ground, she stopped the Tai-Chi for some more basic hand to hand.
She got close and threw a brutal haymaker to her jaw - so brutal that it managed to hurt Qiaolian - that sent a tooth flying across the air, and it slid across the ground. Followed by the girl's friends letting out various exclaims of shock as the girl fell backwards. Qiaolian caught the girl, who was barely holding onto consciousness at this point, and finished her off with one last punch to the nose, and let go of her collar. She hit the ground, knocked unconscious, and a pool of her own blood.
Qiaolian could only furrow her brows as she stared at the girl. "... Don't speak if your words are meaningless, whore." She hissed to the girl before she simply whipped around - and the first thing she saw was the teachers... while she was distracted with fighting the girl, her posse ran off and found a teacher. And with the girl unconscious and bleeding on the ground, that didn't paint a good picture for Qiaolian.
Damn it.
A few hours later, she was sitting in a chair in the Liu Manor... her father's office. She had a blank face on as she stared ahead. Aware of her father's presence as he walked around her with his arms behind his back... Her father, like the rest of the Liu family, were quite intimidating. He was freakishly tall even by western standards. He wore a black suit, with gold detailing, and had a cigar hanging from his lips (A habit he picked up during a visit to the west... while it was not to his liking, he adores cigars enough to purchase some). His name was Jianguo, the cold, vicious, patiarch of the Liu family.
"Qiaolian..." Jianguo said as he puffed cigar smoke. "... Yet again, you bring shame to our name acting like you do not know how to act." His voice was very deep and raspy... just another reason why people were afraid to cross the Liu family. With children like Qiaolian, and men like Jianguo taking the helm, they were the contenders for China's most frightening family. "And right as I thought the Tai-Chi lessons were finally starting to put you under control...."
"Father, the Chen-child was picking a fight with me," Qiaolian said, monotone and devoid of emotion. Trying her best to sound neutral. "She insulted me, and I returned the favor... I clearly upset her."
"Hmph, the Chen family is certainly a weak one," Jianguo scoffed, "But, that is not the point."
He stared off into the distance. "You are going to one of the best schools in China on behalf of one of it's most powerful families... you have a status to uphold, and you've been doing everything you can to ruin it."
Jianguo stared at Qiaolian from over his shoulder, staring at her.
"You better learn what it means to be a Liu, and you better learn it fast, lest I decide to take... further action" Jiang started off, before he pointed at the door.
"... Now get out of my sight."
To hell with him. To hell with everyone in this damn family.
They give more of a damn about their status than her, so their precious "status" can go to hell. Personally, Qiaolian wanted away from this damn family, and if it meant that she had to leave China altogether to achieve that dream, then so be it. How about America? If her father hates it so much, then it must be a great place. Qiaolian had only one way to get her mind off things.
She grabbed a bag, before she walked out the doors of the Liu estate, and closed them behind her. She sighed as she got a breath of the night sky. She was going have to be quick, Qiaolian merely walked to the walls around the Liu estate and hopped over them.
She walked through the streets of this beautiful city, before she made it to her destination: a construction site. They were building a skyscraper here... and there was plenty of concrete for her to practice with - uncaring that she was setting back progress. It was almost dark out, so everyone left. She made a note to never practice in the same construction site twice, so she'll have to make good use of this area to practice.
Arriving in the dirt pit, there was the metal frame of the building they were developing, and plenty of concrete foundation for her to use. With there a pit for the basement, Qiaolian had plenty of cover to practice in peace. She vaguely overheard that this was going to be apart of the mighty Liu empire (Or it belongs to a rival, Qiaolian couldn't help but ignore such frivolous matters such as a family that she despises).
Taking in a deep exhale, Qiaolian put her hands out and closed her eyes... this ability was so strange and unfamiliar to her, but she had to learn it somehow. This unknown power will save her some day. It would become a hidden power that elevated her above the other Lius. For years, she desperately searched for information on this ability, but, oddly enough, couldn't find anything useful. Whether it's being hidden, or there simply isn't any information, is the question.
Whatever the hell Qiaolian is... is she the only one?
There were many questions, but Qiaolian found them all irrelevant. Whether she's some kind of heavenly being, or a devil is not any of her concern. There was one thing on her mind... and it was this concrete block that was standing before her. It was at least three feet taller than her, and grey... certainly an intimidating figure for the young Qiaolian.
There was something that she had figured out. It was that her power was controlled through body movements... and in a way, she can apply martial arts to controlling it. However, she was having trouble with finding the "right" body movements. She was blinded by her Tai-Chi training.
She dropped into a Tai-Chi form... Play the Lute, that's what they called it. Facing the rock with enough intensity to split it in half without even a single blow. She closed her mind, and flowed like water as she thrust her palm towards the rock.... and when her hand hit the concrete slab, it felt like hell on her fingers as she quickly pulled her hand back and let out a hoarse cry. Qiaolian grabbed her hand, before she examined it. Her hand was red, and twitching in pain.
And she broke a nail.
Letting out a sharp huff of irritation, Qiaolian quickly returned her composure... What am I doing wrong? Qiaolian thought to herself as she stared at the rock. Instead of getting irritated, she cleared her mind and came at it from another angle. She meditated on the ground, contemplating what she has done wrong. The question was inside of herself.
Inside her heart was earth.
Qiaolian was an avid lover of Chinese philosophy and spiritualism, and she was born under earth. She is patient, hardworking, disciplined, introspective, intelligent, and more... and she, ironically enough, got power over the earth itself. While it's not the first thing you think of when someone mentions "Earth," it's still stone. She can bend this city to her will... but, chooses not to. Only to be responsible with her new power. Qiaolian can only find the power to control this ability from within.
And from within, she found that power. Like a switch that had opened inside of herself.
Slowly rising to her feet, Qiaolian got back into the Play-The-Lute stance, and stared at the rock yet again. Instead of coming at it in a gentle way, she knew that she had to stop that and be true to herself, opposed to denying what was within. The only way to move a stubborn rock is through force.
Balling her fist, Qiaolian let out a sharp exhale as she went against her training and sent her fist flying forward. When it hit the rock this time, she blasted it apart. It was utterly reduced to chunks that were sent flying forward. Qiaolian smiled as she finally made progress with her ability. She cockily laughed as she realized the potential here.
For the first time in years, Qiaolian has broken the limits behind her ability.
Quickly turning her head, Qiaolian threw a kick that sent a chunk of a concrete block off... but, she wanted to move forward from here. No more throwing rocks, and breaking worthless slabs, it was time for the real deal. She stared at all the concrete before her... that she was standing on, and reached inside of herself and channeled her power.
She put her legs far apart as she could, bending them at the knee, before she raised her fist up into the air, and inhaled. If she messes this up... things could go quite badly. But, she is Liu Qiaolian. A girl that is known for her ability to back up her confidence.
When she exhaled, she let out an all out yell as she slammed her fist into the ground and sent a wave through the area.
One of the first large-scale usages of her ability, she caused a wave of spikes to burst out of the ground at high speeds. Each spike went higher than the last. It was a cacophony of destruction as stone was being upturned, and destroyed. By the time it had ended... Qiaolian was proud of herself. She had unlocked a power that she had kept locked away... but, what more can she learn?
But, what was interesting was the open wounds that had appeared on her. Like cracks across her skin, they were oozing blood.
Power came at a price, after all.
Though, her fun came to an end when she saw flashlights shining into the construction area. Oops... she's got carried away. Qiaolian grabbed her bag and hauled ass out of there, hoping that the investigators would be more concerned with the sudden destruction.
Written in collaboration with @Mr Allen J Academy 61, Roseview.
Since his return from the hospital, Rowan had been unable to forget the events that had led to his injury. There was something frustrating in how weak he'd been in comparison to Ezekiel and how the man had overwhelmed his own abilities, putting Wendy at risk. Time at the Academy had taught him that practice led to improvement and if he had any hope of helping her out and getting some payback, he needed to practice.
As it happened, there was a spot at the very far edge of the campus, technically outside the boundaries, known as the 'junkyard', a little corner which a few students had, over the years, used it as an unofficial training ground. Littered with debris, it served as a good opportunity for Rowan to hone his abilities.
Wendy had approached Rowan... her new partner in crime in all of this madness. She wished that she didn't get him involved in the first place, but it's exactly what it is. An unfavorable situation. While Wendy trained in the training hall, Rowan chose to practice in the "Scrapyard" or whatever they called it. Only because it felt like more of Rowan's place. Though, she tried to convince him that the training hall was better equipped.
"Rowan!" Wendy shouted, waving her hand around in the air. "How is your training going?"
She caught of the scrawny kid stood before the husk of an old station wagon, long since stripped of anything valuable - it seemed as though Rowan was trying to concentrate on lifting it. Well, that is, until Wendy broke his concentration, causing him to drop it with a firm clatter that sent pieces of trash bouncing all over. "Uh shit, sorry!"
A piece was flying toward Wendy, but she put her hands up and had enough reflexes to block it. Apparently. It hurt a little, but that wouldn't bother her. "... Uh, It's my fault for, uh, breaking your concentration." She shrugged. "But, I wanted to ask you how you're doing."
"I'm doing fine... I guess." Rowan said, albeit hesitantly. "You? You all okay?"
"I'm... still worried about Diana," Wendy honestly said. "But, otherwise, I've been doing great. Sticking to my training regime."
"Yeah?" Rowan asked, raising an eyebrow. "Me too. I'm not gonna let those assholes hurt me or anyone else again."
"I'm getting the hang of Ms. Zhao's ability...." Wendy said as she looked at her hands... and pulled small pieces of concrete out of the ground that hovered around her hands. She released her control, and the stones fell to the ground. "I think I'm getting close to the point where I can face the Hound alone, but I still need more practice." Her voice had a hint of anger in it.
Then it hit her.
"Oh! Would you like to train with me?"
"Y- yeah, that'd be a good idea." Rowan said, caught a little off-guard.
"Training hall... or here?" Wendy asked.
"It's up to you, I guess," Rowan said, "But out here is good, y'know?"
"Alright then..." Wendy said as she looked around. "Um, how do you want to, uh, uh, go about it? A spar?"
"S-sure, I mean uh, yeah - whatever you saw." Rowan's answer sounded equally befuddled.
"Alright..." Wendy said as she thought about how she was going to do this. There was a lot of space in here, and she would prefer the open training hall, but this will have to do. She picked a large open space, pointed at it, and then shrugged. "Alright... let's start... however the hell we'll do that." Wendy said.
Rowan paused, then finally nodded and headed over to a spot just across from where Wendy was stood, yet he couldn't help but hesitate. Despite all the practice, his powers were unpredictable and whilst they might not have hurt someone like Ezekiel, he was worried what harm he could do to Wendy. "You sure you're okay with this? I don't wanna hurt you, or anything."
Wendy clenched her fists. "Rowan..." She started off, in a rather somber tone. "I don't care, if this is what it takes to fight the Hound and Ezekiel, then I'll do it." She raised her fist in the air with hope in her eyes.
That was enough encouragement, though he was still a little confused as to how they were going to 'spar'. "So uh, how's this gonna work?"
The thought never really crossed Wendy's train of thought. She thought about it - how to use this clearing to the advantage of their training. Then it hit her:
"We're going to try to knock each other out of the ring," Wendy said pointing at the ground. "This being the ring.... Without hurting each other. "
"Right." Rowan said, a little reserved about the notion of moving first, "You start, I guess."
"But, Rowan-" Wendy was about to explain that, in a real fight, there would be no turns. But, she knew that it was just best to just go first and get Rowan in the groove. Because that was the problem, he was hesitant and didn't have a "groove" just yet. So, she raised her hands up into the air and drove off some small rocks from the area around her. No bigger than her fingertip... because she didn't want to kill Rowan. The stones floated in front of her, spinning around, before she thrusted both hands forward, and shot a barrage of small rocks that would only bruise slightly.
Going off instinct, Rowan crudely pulled towards him the discarded hood of a wrecked car and embedded it firmly into the ground as a shield against the rocks, which pinged against the rusting metal surface with a firm clatter. Wendy meant business, it seemed and he had been given her explicit consent to fight back - at least to a certain point, and so he followed this up by pushing the same hood through the dirt towards Wendy at a speed fast enough to knock her down, but not so much that it'd have done any real harm.
Using up all of her ammo right off the bat was not the most tactical decision Wendy had made. Rowan had sent a hood right for her. Damn it. She was tempted to dive on the ground away from it, but she didn't want to leave herself open like before. She has to take it head on. Wendy quickly raised her hands in the air and gathered concrete in a mess of concrete dust.
Dropping her weight, she slammed her fist into the ground. A concrete shield popped up and blocked the hood... but, it all fell apart with the hood's impact.
Need to practice that.
Meanwhile, Rowan had started drawing in more pieces of metallic junk surrounding himself with a crude shield that gave him some protection at the cost of a limited field of view, before he started advancing towards Wendy's position. "A new trick?" He asked, referring to her use of concrete.
"... Just trying to do what Ms. Zhao does." Wendy just bluntly said as the shield fell to pieces. Rowan's shield was probably far more effective before it didn't fall to pieces right off the bat. She needed a plan to take out Rowan... because she was imagining herself fighting Ezekiel again, and with an ability more suited to fighting him on even terms.
Then she remembered that Rowan was human, too. And his barrier was blocking his field of vision. Perhaps she could take advantage of that. She looked down and willed a piece of concrete upwards, and she clenched her hand as if she was crushing it. Cracks covered it as it was turned into a barrage of tiny pieces of stone.
She sent it at Rowan... the idea was that it would break into a cloud of dust on impact with the shield. Before she sprinted off into another direction.
It seemed to work; Rowan found himself blindsided by the mass of dust and had to hold his breath to avoid coughing and spluttering, still recalling the effect that the other gas had held over him before. It was only as he opened his eyes again that he realised that Wendy was out of sight....
... And by the time he realized where she was, she had sent a stone to swipe his foot from underneath him, knocking him flat on his ass along with his shield.
"Nailed ya'!" Wendy said, fist pumping.
"Oh yeah?" Rowan said as she stood there triumphant. Admittedly, he had a trick up his sleeve, but he wanted to hold up on that for just a second. "Hey, paper girl," He said, reaching into his pocket, and withdrawing a crumpled piece of paper and tossing it at her. "Catch!"
Wendy was so utterly caught off guard by paper being thrown at her she didn't know what to make of it. She caught it, but stared at it, then back to Rowan, then to the paper again. It wasn't the paper itself that threw her off, but the action of throwing a crushed piece of paper. Is it his strategy against Ezekiel and the Black Hound?
That wasn't the case, hilarious as it sounded - Rowan wanted instead a chance to demonstrate something he'd been working on himself after a little inspiration from her, as well as after seeing what Ezekiel could do. Concentrating, Rowan put his mind to matter as he felt the metal bands he'd fitted under his sleeves pulling upwards.
Slowly but steadily, Rowan found himself lifting upwards.
"... You're..." Wendy trailed off as she stared at Rowan in disbelief. "... Flying?"
"Yeah... woah- just gimme' a sec..." Rowan said as he found himself a couple of metres above where she stood. "Yeah... I'm flying." He said. ".... Holy shit! I'm flying!" He repeated to himself, though in doing so he gesticulated a little too much and lost his balance. "Oh no- how'd you do this?!" He exclaimed at Wendy, as he flailed about mid-air, before he finally found a balance and was able to stabilise himself by outstretching his arms, until finally he was above the tops of the trees. All whilst Wendy could only look on.
"You've got that paper, don't you? C'mon, view's up here!"
"I can't use my paper powers if I just copied..." Wendy thought about it for a moment as she stared at the piece of paper. Whenever she copied a power, she would be locked into it until she gets to learn it a little bit... a strange limit of some sort, indeed. But, limits can be broken... and through those broken limits she can reach inside herself and gain new strengths. She clenched the piece of paper really tightly, and focused. Channeled her Metahuman energy and...
... her hand turned white as paper and her jaw dropped as she stared at it with large eyes of optimism. She could make the paper fly... she then realized that she had learned enough of Lihua's ability to switch powers. It was amazing, she took weeks just to master enough of electrokinesis to change it. How....
Limits are meant to be broken, after all.
She looked up at the sky, and turned into a cloud of paper and flew upwards to Rowan's level.
It took him a moment, but eventually the scrawny kid was beside her, still in awe at the sight before them; above the trees, they could easily make out the academy and dorm buildings nearby, but further out was something that Rowan had never truly seen before, the silhouette of Baybridge in the distance.
Wendy went up a little higher than Rowan before she reformed, then she became weightless and floated lazily down like a piece of paper. Gently swaying left to right as she listened to Rowan.
Somehow, he couldn't help but remark, "Cindy's probably gonna be pissed if she saw me doing this."
Then he cracked a wry grin. "Good thing she won't know."
"Yeah... she isn't omniscient...." Wendy said, taking the statement a bit more seriously as she fell down a bit lower than Rowan. Out of irritation, Wendy turned into paper again and flew upwards, and when she reformed, she was, once again, light as paper. "It's beautiful up here, y'know?"
She stared off at the bridge.
"... I think it's time to go find Diana, yeah?"
"You got another plan for that?" Rowan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course I do..." Wendy said as she whipped out her phone, and typed in a text for her mystery contact.
Okay, I am ready.
It was only a few moments before she got a response.
You better be, because things are about to get really crazy... Head to Hazelwood Dr in Roseview, and go off the trail at the stop sign, and into the woods until you reach a warehouse. It's merely a hideout for members of the Intimidation Unit from other cities to lay low for awhile, and currently it's empty. Poke around in there until you find a computer with all other possible Family Base locations. Good luck.
Wendy nodded her head. "Okay... we're heading to Hazelwood... mind if we turn this into a race, Rowan?" Wendy asked.
"That a challenge?" Rowan asked, the corner of his mouth betraying his concealed interest.
"Well... it'll be a challenge for you." Wendy grinned wryly as she floated upwards.
"...So, you couldn't control your power?" Lijuan said.
"Not at all..." Lihua said, as she stared into the water. "...But, all I merely had to do was stop fearing myself."
"...Ah." Lijaun said in a high-pitched voice.
Footsteps approaching from behind made Lihua whip her head around to see her niece, Mika, wearing the same white dress and wedge heels as before. She stopped before them, and bowed, saying, "Apologies for interrupting you, auntie." She spoke.
"It is fine, Mika," Lihua said. "What can I help you with?"
"There has been something on my mind lately... that I can only trust with you, Auntie." Mika nodded her head, and she gestured away from Lijuan, and Lihua quickly stepped over to Lijuan, and put the power suppressant collar back on. She took a few steps away from Lijuan where she was out of her eight year old daughter's hearing, but she wasn't out of Lijuan's eyesight.
She put a hand on her hip, and looked at Mika. "Yes?"
"Father has been particularly stressed lately... and I was worried for him," Mika said as she took a few steps to the side until she was facing away from Lihua. "I was trying to figure out what's wrong, but he's been deflecting me. Then when I tried to pierce his mind... he's found a way to make it harder for my telepathy to work on him..."
Lihua patiently listened, and from the look on Mika's face, there was more to this than Jiao-Long being secretive... she'd have to hear the full story...
"But, I heard mention of a Family of some sort... and I investigated the the basement on my own..." Mika looked off to the side nervously.
"...And I think this is something I'd best show you."
After putting Lijuan to bed, Lihua had followed behind Mika through the halls of the mansion. At this hour, most of the activity in the mansion - save for guards, maids, and butlers - had come to a slow crawl. Lihua was honestly curious as to what her niece had found that was so vital that she had to show her. She was concerned when she heard mention of the "Family"... She was praying to whoever would listen that it wasn't them. Their trek eventually ended up in the basement. Unlike most definitions of a "basement," the place looked as great as the rest of the Liu Estate. Being a sort of entertainment area, as it had many TVs, bookshelves, and even a bar. Lihua herself didn't spend that much time down here, for obvious reasons.
Stepping on the final step, Mika was quick to grab Lihua by the hand and guide her to the easternmost end of the basement. There was a metal door that looked quite out of place with the rest of the basement. It was kept close due to a heavy pad-lock. After being lead to it, Mika nodded her head.
"This is the part of the mansion where the water heaters, and the sort, are." Mika said, before she outstretched her hand towards it, and it was surrounded with a white aura. Focusing hard on it, the lock was violently shaking, before she managed to force it open with her telekinesis. It was broken off, and hit the ground with a thud. "...I can replace that." She opened the door, and held it open for Lihua.
"Mika Liu," Lihua playfully said as she scrolled on through. "Master of infiltration."
Ignoring the comment, Mika was quick to close the door behind her, reach into her purse, and pull out two flashlights - handing one to Lihua. "Watch your step, Auntie. I'd hate for you to get hurt..."
This part of the basement was made out of rugged stone and metal. Every step that Lihua took made a metallic clang on the ground as she was curious as to where Mika was leading her. They were seemingly going nowhere-
Mika raised her hand up in the air, and made Lihua halt. She took a step back - which also made Lihua need to move back - and focused on one of the metal plates they were walking on. With a simple exertion of her telekinesis, she lifted up the plate, and threw it aside. Revealing a large metal box. Mika had to try extra hard to make the metal create levitate up into the air.
She was straining herself, her whole body began to tremble.
"Mika, don-" Lihua tried to urge her before Mika had successfully pulled the crate out of the hidden crevice, and dropped to her knee. Panting heavily as she began to exert herself too much in this short amount of time. In between pants, she raised her head and said,
"...Open it."
Lihua would have protested... but, it became clear that the box was already unchained, and Mika had just hastily put it back to avoid suspicion. She has to give it to her niece, she was quite ingenius when she needed to be. Now, to the subject of this large, and suspicious, metal crate; Lihua stood over it, and merely pulled the top off.
...And she was assaulted with a green light as she grabbed something within the crate. Her eyes went open as she was hit with a sudden realization.
"Mika, how did you find this...?" Lihua asked.
The Liu grinned.
"...I am very good at finding the truth."
Ah, such a long and tiring day... the work of a genius is never done, and Jiao-Long knew that more than anyone.
After coming back home from Hailey Boulevard, he merely retreated to his office inside the Liu Estate. A medium-sized room that just had the most delicious view of his garden out there. With bookshelves, a fireplace, and a bitchin' lounging chair behind his desk. It was paradise for Jiao-Long to kick back after a long day of work. Sitting down, and pouring himself a glass of wine, he could finally relax. He closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair...
"...Jiao-Long," Lihua said as she came from hiding from behind the bookshelf. Holding something in her hand.
"Sister, what can I help y-" Jiao-Long tried to be his own friendly self, when Lihua slammed a helmet on his desk... and his eyes flew open, slack-jawed.
A black helmet with a symbol of a snake on it - fitting for a supervillain - that Lihua undeniably knew as the helmet belonging to the Hands Executive Suan-Ni.
"You are Suan-Ni, the most mysterious of the Hands Executives." Lihua sharply said. "... Now, I see why."
"Sister..." Jiao-Long trailed off. "You were not supposed to see that... no one was."
"I should have seen that from the start, God, what a fool I was..." Lihua crossed her arms as she stared at Jiao-Long.
"...The signs were always right in front of me."
Seven Years ago. Verthaven, California...
"Brother..." Lihua said in Chinese. Lihua was facing her much older brother, Jiao-Long. A man that was taller than she was, which was hard to tell since he was hunched over. He held his hands behind his back. He was wearing a suit, and his hair was starting to grey. Lihua and Jiao-long didn't look all that much alike - with Lihua's features being sharper - but there was at least a resemblance.
"Hello, Qiao-" Jiao-long said, before the man caught himself - earning himself a fierce look from Lihua that left the two girls befuddled. "Sister, sister, how have you been?" Jiao long asked, opening his arms for a hug. It hurt Lihua's pride a bit, but she moved in to accept the hug. She was released from her brother's grip soon.
"Father." Mika said the word, like an insult. Which Lihua caught up on, but was unsure of just what caused their fight. However, this was just about much of what Mika said. Her lips were sealed during the rest of the conversation.
There was something that Lihua noticed about Jiao-long that seemed a little off... her eyes drifted towards his hand, and she eyed that it was covered in bandages. Huh? She pointed at her brother's hand. "Jiao-Long, what happened to your hand?"
"Oh- this?" Jiao-Long put his hand out as he quickly stammered for a response. There was a couple second pause. "There was a lab accident in one of the Savior buildings. I got burned. Everything should be fine..."
"I should have been more suspicious of you... getting injured right after the big raid on a Hands? It just went over my head because you had the wool pulled over everyone's eyes..." Lihua questioned to herself, as she kept her eyes on Jiao-Long the whole time. "How could I miss the biggest clue..."
Seven years ago. Verthaven, California. At the height of the Verthaven Disaster.
Lihua let out a sigh. She stepped down the halls of the NEST Headquarters. Everything in this damn city was falling apart, and all she wanted was a long bath - but she knew that NEST Headquarters only had showers. Lihua narrowed her eyes. Close enough, she thought to herself. This was going to be the longest week of her life, and it was obvious that not everyone was going to survive. So, she's going have to give it her all to make sure that they get out. Lihua had to sigh again. This...martyr attitude was going to kill her some day.
For now, she was going to enjoy a shower, then she was going to head to bed... Well, her office. She was going to put up a cot there. It was going to be a pain in the ass not having access to all her outfits.
Right when Lihua was about to approach the showers, her phone started ringing. She was wondering who the hell would be calling her now. She quickly dove her hand into her pocket, and pulled out her phone, and immediately narrowed her eyes. Jiao-Long Liu.
She wondered what her damn brother wanted, she hit answer, then pressed the phone against her ear. "Hell---" Lihua couldn't even finish the sentence before Jiao-Long bombarded her.
"Lihua, sister, I am going to be brief. Me and the girls managed to get out of the city before the shield went up. I hope you are okay."
"Jiao-"
"I need you to keep Mika safe for me. Do anything to get her out of the city. Please. I wish I could have came to get her too, but there was no time."
"Listen, wait, you bas-"
"Goodbye, Qia- Sister," Jiao-long said farewell before he hung up the phone.
Lihua was left, understandably, very confused. Why did Jiao-Long sound like he was in such a rush? It didn't make any sense that he'd leave Mika behind without a word. She knew that he wasn't that kind of person who'd leave his daughter in here without so much of a message. There was something wrong here. Lihua stared at her phone for a moment, rubbing her chin.
Was he telling her that he got out safely?
...Or was he telling her not to look for him?
Looked like Lihua was going to find out. She quickly turned around and broke off into a sprint, heading right towards her office. Without wasting a second, she used her newly restored privileges to track Jiao-Long's number...but the phone mysteriously vanished. Very suspicious...even if the phone was from the outside world, she'd be able to trace it.
Lihua narrowed her eyebrows. "...Jiao-Long," She said to herself, "Just what are you doing?"
"...You never left Verthaven, did you Jiao-Long?" Lihua said, looking at Jiao-Long with the most venomous eyes on the planet. "So, tell me, was the "nice caring scientist" just a routine? You were just playing the family man to keep eyes off you...?"
She asked, reaching into her purse, and grabbing her revolver. Before he could react, she aimed it at Jiao-Long and made the man jump back, with his arms in the air.
"No matter... because I want to know everything." Lihua commanded. "Then I'll feed you to the dogs like you rightfully should be." She didn't even speak to Jiao-Long like he was even her brother. Because he was an enemy.
Jiao-Long sighed, as he leaned forward, and put his hands together in front of him. The jig was up, his deep dark secret, was revealed to the world.
"... I never wanted to become Suan-Ni..." Jiao-Long trailed off, shaking his head in shame. "It all started when me and Biyu left for America all those years ago... The first people I met were apart of this group... the Founding Family."
The Founding Family... Lihua trailed off to herself. She keeps hearing that name, but she never knew it'd be this close to home.
"They were like a cult - but, they knew science like no other," Jiao-Long started off. "They taught me everything... made me into the genius I am today."
He clenched his fist.
"They told me that they would give everything I wanted... and believe me Qiaolian, all I wanted was to help people, improve this broken world!" Jiao-Long slammed his fists on the table. "...Even if it was a little. But, what the Family wanted in return was for me to work for them... the first thing they asked of me was to infiltrate the Hands of Science."
He somberly looked down at the desk.
"I didn't want to, but they urged me with death threats... so, I had no choice in the matter really, really," Jiao-Long said, looking up at Lihua, and barely having the strength to do that because he was shamed. "I became Suan-Ni to meet that ends... only so I can separate my public image from that monster.
"...This comes as no surprise, but I became an executive." Jiao-Long stared at his hands for a moment. "It was awful... I was awful."
"I just wanted to end all the human experimentation... but, I couldn't, because they were all monsters," Jiao-Long grabbed onto each sides of his head. "I was hurting people. Metahuman or not, they're people."
"But... I used my connections to help build my company, then I started a family with Chunhua..." Jiao-Long said. "I thought I could use the resources of both the Hands, and the Family to help people. It's... the best I could do."
"Yes... I was in Verthaven... and, yes, my entire family all knows." Jiao-Long said. "The Liu family had no choice but to take refuge with the Hands, and I was forced to come clean. They were... disappointed, but they loved me no matter what."
"...And I trusted you to keep Mika safe."
Lihua listened patiently... everything was starting to make sense now. How Jiao-Long went from a Chinese immigrant to one of the most important men on the planet. She grabbed a chair, and pulled it underneath herself, and sat down on it. Keeping the gun primed on Jiao-Long.
"That makes so much sense." Lihua asked. "...But, did you ever involve them in your work?"
"...I wish there was a way to keep them out of this, but... I had to do to... just to get the Hands to trust me enough..." Jiao-Long shamefully said.
Lihua narrowed her eyes at Jiao-Long, as she hissed, "What did you do...?" Lihua first asked, only to get no response from Jiao-Long. "...What did you do?!" Lihua exploded in anger as she pulled back the hammer, ready to shoot him.
"I didn't want to do it - I am just so sorry..." Jiao-Long said, "...But, none of them are natural Metahumans."
"What?"
"To prove my allegiance to the Hands... they wanted me to give my daughters the serum," Jiao-Long said. "The serum that gives them powers. It was a risk, but, their logic was that if they get horribly deformed, I could just use that as "motivation" to feed the world - to get their sympathy - but, in actually, they didn't give a damn about my daughters..."
Lihua grit her teeth, as she considered letting Jiao-Long eat a bullet. What a weak-willed man, getting bullied by the Family and the Hands. She found it disgusting.
"I had the cooks mix it in with their food... and soon enough, each of them developed superpowers, and I am happy that they got powers that didn't ruin their lives."
"Disgusting." Lihua hissed at Jiao-Long. "You would risk your own daughters lives like that?"
"...You have to believe me, Qiaolian," Jiao-Long said. "It was either do it, or the Family kills them."
"But..." Lihua said, letting out a sigh. "What happened after the fall of the Hands?"
"The Family requested a sample of the Devil-"
"What for?" Lihua chimed in.
"I am not sure, but I heard it wasn't even delivered." Jiao-Long said. "With the Hands gone, I finally thought I was free to help people... Everything was looking up." He looked up, with a dumb smile on his face. "The Family didn't want anything from me, the Hands were finally destroyed, Biyu disappeared, and my shackles were officially gone, and I bore my first son with Chunhua in celebration..."
Lihua waited for the "big twist" that would change this.
"...A few days ago, Biyu contacted me on behalf of the Family, and asked me that I help them with a "machine" they are working on." Jiao-Long said. "I don't know what it does... but, I am putting my foot down here and now; I refuse to help these monsters anymore."
Lihua knew that Jiao-Long regretted his actions - even if she called subjugating his daughters to the power serums, disgusting... she knew who the root of the problem was.
"...It's Biyu, isn't it?" Lihua asked, refusing to acknowledge that bitch as her mother. "She's the problem."
"Yes... I never asked for this, Qiao- Lihua. Lihua." Jiao-Long said.
Sighing, Lihua put her gun down on the desk, and pushed it in between herself, and Jiao-Long, and stared at him. While she always found Jiao-Long a self-righteous fool... she couldn't help but acknowledge that there were now similarities that she had never known before. If she shamed Jiao-Long here, she would be a hypocrite because she was forced to be a soldier and kill hundreds of people.
Because she was just following orders.
"Look," Lihua said as she stared at the gun. "What happened to us? I came in here ready to shoot you dead if you so much as move the wrong way..."
"...It doesn't have to be like this, Lihua," Jiao-Long said. "We are better than this."
"We are... it's time that we put aside our petty differences... and unite as one to solve this problem."
"Please," Jiao-Long said. "Don't get the authorities, involved. It'll make things worse."
"I won't - this will be strictly off the books, Meifeng will understand," Lihua said, as she reached into her purse. "I just need to know where Biyu is."
"Oh..." Jiao-Long said, looking off towards the side. "It hadn't crossed my crossed my mind at first because I was so ashamed of what I did..."
Lihua raised an eyebrow. Oh boy, here comes the next big twist... She thought to herself in irritation and then sighed.
"...Biyu is apart of the Polaris cult."
The Blessed Three.
Somewhere in Prince-Edfield...
"...Lord Ezekiel, hold still."
A blone-haired, blue-eyed, secretary said as she had Ezekiel sitting down on a stool, while she reapplied the bandages on his eye. That paper-manipulating whore had stabbed him in the eye with a paper airplane. His eye wasn't completely destroyed, but the Family's medical prowess... was not something to be underestimated. However, he was more aggravated by the fact that his company was being pulled from right under him. He could only cross his arms and pout as his well-dressed secretary finished and smiled at him.
"Alright," She trailed off. "All better."
Ezekiel sighed.
"...Dismissed."
The Secretary stepped to the side, and then bowed.
Ezekiel stood straight up, and walked through the incredibly well-furnished halls of this building. With a secretary at each side, he pushed open the regal and lavish double wooden doors. When he stepped inside, he walked with a stride that implied he owned the place. Which he did... he owned the entire world. All of the Blessed Three did. The first thing he gazed upon was the massive wooden, oval-shaped, table, with some of the most delicious and luxurious foods out there.
Blake and Julia were already sitting down on each sides of it, with their secretaries tending to each and every one of their whims. They both gazed at Ezekiel as he sat down.
Immediately, he got a cup of wine filled by his feminine secretaries.
"What would you like, lord Ezekiel?" A pretty African-American secretary said, she put her hand out and presented all this food before Ezekiel, "We have prepared so much food for your feast."
"...I'll take the pork." Ezekiel said, and a secretary cut a piece of pork for Ezekiel, put it on a plate, and put it right in front of him. He grabbed a fork and a knife and just dug in.
"So, Ezekiel," Blake said, when he stopped eating his lobster. "How was your day?"
"My company is being pulled from under me, I was humiliated by children, and the world thinks I'm just a common criminal!" Ezekiel growled at Blake in a low tone, and his anger caused electricity to arc off him. "...So, I'd say I'm doing fiiiiine, Blake."
"...Oh, that's good to hear." Blake said in a completely neutral tone.
"Lord Ezekiel," The African-American secretary said. "You should not get so mad. It is bad for your health."
"Hmph."
"Do not get upset, Ezekiel," Blake said in a triumphant tone. "Once our plan has reached fruition, the world will celebrate us as heroes that changed the world for the better!"
"...Yes, our plan." Ezekiel muttered under his breath as he tried to resist the urge to grin.
Do we really have to change the world? Julia thought to herself as she just finished eating some elegant chocolate cake, as she finished her main dish of a salad. The Family has everything we need, and more it is a truly self-sustaining beast. She just found it ridiculous.
"And to reach that plan, we still need Dr. Cross and the Mannequin..." Ezekiel trailed off.
"Not quite," Blake said. "Truly, we only need the three of us to finish the machine."
Blake followed it with a bout of hearty laughter.
"But, with our enemies closing in on us, we'll need all the help we can if we're to finish it before they close in." Blake shrugged as he took another bite of his lobster.
"Speaking of our enemies..." Julia said. "How do you think our little plan during he MIP-Savior debate will go?"
"It will go excellently!" Blake said. "I designed it myself! The Phantasm will recover the target... we don't even need to kill the debaters, but that's just a bonus." Blake loudly said, laughing.
Julia looked at the secretaries... she wondered how many were brainwashed by the Family. And, she came up with a plan that will turn the tide of this war in their favor.
"You, come here." Julia said, pointing at the female black haired secretary with brown eyes. She grabbed the woman by the chin, and looked her in the eyes. In which she didn't even protest. She basically belonged to the family.
"Yes... if all goes well, everything will work out for us from here on in..." Julia said with a lustful smile as she looked in the eye of the secretary.
"...All it'll take is a little bit of Mechanized Memories."
In the middle of their chess match, the Foundation Woman's phone rang... and she was quick to give it a glance and grin. "Oh, Abel," The Foundation Woman said. "...Mind doing me a favor?"
Abel raised his head, using this as an excuse to end this damn chess match. "Of course, anything for you, Foundation Woman."
"It is your break," The Phantasm said. "Send me instead."
"No, no..." The Foundation Woman insisted. "This is a job for the Hound... and him alone..."
Meifeng Zhao, & Cindy Keagan.
Lower-South Royer Town, Prince Edfield.
After a long, and annoying, trip back home, Meifeng finally brought Cindy back their apartment in Lower-South-Royer-Whatever.
Unlocking the door, Meifeng carted Cindy in over her shoulder, and was just about tired of drunk Cindy. "...Okay, from here on in, Cindy," Meifeng muttered as she looked at her drunken friend. "I will stop you from drinking like two bottles of bourbon. Jesus Christ, I didn't know whether or not I should have been intrigued or horrified." She rolled her eyes up into her head.
"You know, Meifeng," Cindy said, and Meifeng couldn't help but preemptively cringe. "Since I couldn't get a man tonight..."
She immediately got from under Meifeng arms, and put her hands on Meifeng's chest.
"...I think it's time for me to start lezzing it out," she seductively said. "And you're the perfect girl for me, I know you been thinking about this all night long, Ms. Bisexual..." She drunkenly laughed
Meifeng looked at her really uncomfortably, and quickly looked around, as if she was searching for an exit. Before the phone in her pocket buzzed, and Meifeng sighed in relief. She pushed Cindy away - turning her body sideways in the process - with one hand, and quickly dug her phone out of her pocket with her other. She saw a text from her mother,
Meifeng, it's really important. I need you to head to the Liu Estate as fast as you can.
Okay, this seemed important.
Meifeng glanced at Cindy... who had completely passed out, and was asleep. She wondered where Jennifer was, but she hoped that she was fine. She could have some fun with Cindy, but family first. Meifeng stepped towards the door with her motorcycle keeps in her hand. Cindy will be safe here - she's going to be asleep for a long time, and when she wakes up, she's going to have one hell of a hangover. Meifeng will stick around for that one. But, again, family first.
Quickly locking the door behind her, Meifeng ran down the stairs of the apartment complex, and hopped on her motorcycle, and sped off towards Greenflower Garden...
Shizuka Takashiro.
Greencrest Heights, White Coast_
It was a long night tonight.
While Cindy's drunken madness was annoying (and entertaining at the same time, but he would never want to admit this), the main spotlight was on Jennifer. Her story about her missing hand, and later her history as 'Missy Baroness'... He did feel a bit of sympathy for all the tragedies that had to befall on her, but he still think that she should learn from that despair and become a stronger person, not wailing about them like a spoiled brat and running away from everything around her, including herself. (Well, from what Lihua had told him about Jennifer's past before the girl got her superpower, it sounded like she was indeed a spoiled child.) The scream of her mother being killed by Luis was still fresh in his mind after all these years, even her last words to her daughter...
"Jenny..." Annabelle Caspin said as tears started running down her eyes. "I want you to know... I love you with all my heart...please sweetie, promise me something! One thing!" she screamed as she reached the utter zenith of her sorrow. "Promise me that you'll live on! Move on without us, I know you can do it!"
He shook his head and let out a sigh. He wondered what would her deceased mother feel if she saw the Jennifer now, who obviously didn't honor those words. Stagnant and stuck between the past and present, drowning herself deeper in the endless loop of hatred and self-loathing, repeating the same mistake as seven years ago...
Seriously, why should he care when she didn't even want anyone to care about her? Even if she was slowly coming clean with them after Lihua's lecture, she wasn't going to completely change that bad habit of hers for the better overnight. While he knew that Lihua was also right about him, that he should be patient and give more consideration about other people's feelings, but time would wait for no man. He didn't have the luxury to wait for her to sort out all her childish feelings when the world would soon be damned by the Founding Family and Polaris.
He probably would have to let her hate him a little longer, he mused sarcastically. Or maybe... he was just secretly jealous of her, for having a mother she could love with all her heart, while he was deprived of that love ever since he was born.
It was true that he still had problems socializing with people in general, but he could feel that he was beginning to change, bit by bit. The ice wall around his heart was slowly melting, to allow friends into his life circle. (He would never want to admit that to any one of them openly, though - unless he felt stupid enough to get never-ending taunts from them.)
Maybe he also had the same 'nonsensical pride' in him as much as Lihua.
...And it was so unlike him, the logical and practical Shizuka, to lament about feelings and relationships.
Pushing all those emotional thoughts to the back of his mind, Shizuka chose to focus on the few clues they had gathered from Jennifer. They had zero leads about her hand, and apparently the attacker had made it even more difficult for them to get to the bottom of this weird mystery. He had used his ability to check Jennifer's brain (with her permission this time, of course) for any possible physical damage that might have been giving her the headache, but he couldn't find any. What had her assaulter done to her head? Every time they tried to get more out of her that was specific about the hand incident, she would get a migraine.
...Almost like someone had tampered with her memory, to cause her to blank out whenever she tried to recall about how she had lost her hand.
His power was effective against cerebral abilities, but it seemed like it was too deep for him to reverse the effect on her without messing up her mind further (besides, he didn't even know what exactly was done to her memory for him to try and, well, 'fix' the problem). There was nothing he could do to help her about it. Her attacker was really good, to make sure that angle was covered so that whoever he or she was could never be traced back.
...Or maybe not.
For one, the assaulter was oddly careful - too careful, in fact. Shizuka had ruled out the possibility of a random mugger attack from the very beginning, but even so there were numerous possibilities of the mastermind who had singled out Jennifer. Anyone who knew about her regeneration would love to get their hands on her power, to harness it and make the power their own. The power of near-immortality. Anyone who could hack into the DOVE's database - or even some mole remnants who leaked out the information from within - would know that she was still alive. She had become the living proof - a rare opportunity - to realize every man's dream to achieve immortality.
The Founding Family, the Saviors, the Allegiance... and who knows how many other evil organizations out there.
God damn it.
He pushed open the door of the shared apartment with Holly a little harder than he intended, then called out to his twin, whom he knew had chosen to stay at here for awhile instead of going back to their aunt's house in Little Seapond. "Haru?"
No answer.
Shizuka narrowed his eyes. That dumbass. He surveyed the house and searched the rooms... even the fridge, where he found an unfinished can of beer.
Before he could mull over where his stupid twin would probably have gone to when it was already so late, the mobile in his jeans pocket vibrated. He whipped out the phone and raised an eyebrow at the name of the sender. Lihua. What did she want with him again?
Mr. Takashiro... I need your help in a matter. Head to the Liu Estate in Greenflower Garden. I can't share the details over the phone, but it will interest you.
For that woman to message him directly and request for his help, it must be something extremely important. He thought about the bar conversation with her and Meifeng when he told them about Polaris... Well, his brother would have to wait; besides, he was old enough for him to stop treating him like a baby.
He left the apartment and headed out once more, in the direction for Silver Hills.
...It was certainly a long night tonight.
Meifeng Zhao, Lihua Zhao, Shizuka Takashiro, Jiao-Long & Mika Liu.
Written in collaboration with @tsukune Greenflower Garden, Silver Hills.
Everyone was gathered inside the Liu Estate, the very office room in which Lihua had, figuratively, pulled the covers off Jiao-Long's long-kept secret. Everyone was informed of what Lihua had discovered.
Meifeng, in particular, was the most infuriated by Jiao-Long's revelation. She was leaning up against the desk with her arms crossed, and a less-than-receptive look on her face. When it came to the Hands of fuckin' Science, there was no one more passionate about kicking their ass into the dust than Meifeng.... But, Jiao-Long? Her uncle that she had held in a high regard because of all the help he lent towards the Zhao family... not to mention all the good Jiao-Long did for the world by inventing a way to remove powers (the term "cure" implied Metahumans were a disease). Now it turned out he's a Hand of Science? What were the God damn odds... But, despite all of her rage towards the Hands, she couldn't even consider directing that anger towards Jiao-Long, her uncle.
"So..." Meifeng said, huffing in anger. "In simple terms: uncle Jiao-Long was forced to join the Hands by the Family, who now want him to build something... you know, I hope it's not a doomsday device."
"That is correct," Lihua said... taking a long sip of her glass of white wine which she gained while she raided the Liu wine cellar. Because she was going to need it if she was going to tackle this shitstorm head on. In fact, she felt like she should move up to hard drugs, because this situation kept getting more and more ridiculous by the second.
Shizuka watched the exchange between the Zhao women, and glanced at the Lius. Okay, so the benefactor of all Verthaven survivors turned out to be one of the Big Bads who had betrayed them after taking down the Devil, and that he also had ties with the Founding Fags. He even used his own children as lab rats for the Hands' serums, turning them into Metahumans (the god of luck probably pitied this man enough to prevent his daughters from becoming mutated freaks like the other people who tried to use those serums he saw during the last stand against the Devil). This just kept getting better...
"...But why am I called here too?" he asked the burning question in his mind out loud. He felt out of place here - he was an outsider with no blood relations with these people.
Lihua turned towards Jiao-Long.
"Tell him about Biyu," Lihua said.
"...Biyu Liu... my mother... our mother... is a long-time member of a cult named Beidou Qixing, or Polaris, in English," Jiao-Long shamefully said. "When I left for America forty years ago, it was on behalf of Polaris to build relations between the Western Founding Family, and the Eastern Polaris."
He nodded his head.
"For the last forty years, Biyu has been working for the Family, and allowing them to spread their influence to the east... and vice-versa," Jiao-Long started off. "She is insanely devoted to Polaris, and is willing to die for them."
"Polaris..." Meifeng mused. "I keep hearing that bullshit-ass name... and I get the feeling that I'm going have to kick their asses, too."
"Grandma Biyu..." Mika said, standing by the door, keeping guard with her telepathy. "I never expected her to do such a thing... she was such a nice lady."
"That woman's a sociopath, Mika," Lihua hissed, narrowing her eyes. "She only thinks of herself, everyone else is just a tool..."
She then faced Shizuka, and spoke, "I invited you here because I thought this information could be useful to you." Before taking another sip of wine. "...And, ah, you already know some of the most well-guarded Zhao secrets."
Shizuka raised an eyebrow at Lihua. "I made a vow to you to keep my trap shut about your secrets from anyone and everyone, and I'll continue to uphold that promise till the very end." He then sighed. "I appreciate the info, and I'll see what I can dig up and tell you everything I can find." It wasn't just his own family who got involved in this Polarshit - even the Lius and Zhaos were in this big mess also.
"And I thank you for that." Lihua said with a smile. Shizuka... for being a brat seven years ago, he had certainly matured fast.
"But, that's not all," Jiao-Long said, standing up from behind the desk. Placing his hands on the table. "Biyu... she'll be at Honghui's birthday party tomorrow."
Meifeng raised an eyebrow at the revelation.
Shizuka ran a hand through his hair. He could see where this was going... and he didn't like where it was going. "Hang on... do I have to show up at this party too?" The Lius were filthy rich with lots of associates who were at the top of the financial pyramid... and he hated to deal with those snobbish old geezers, and worse, their spoiled kids. Especially the girls. He just couldn't understand what about him that made him seem so attractive to them. He had thought his 'weird-ass' white hair, as Cindy would usually call it, was more than enough to keep them all far away from him...
Meifeng shrugged. "From the looks of it, yeah," She knew that Shizuka didn't want to go there... and truthfully, Meifeng didn't want to arrest someone on her God damn day off - but, if this was what would grant Jiao-Long peace of mind, then so be it. "And I'm also going to take a shot in the dark and say that you... want us to capture her and interrogate her or something?" She flicked her wrist.
"It may be the only way to get any useful information about Polaris," Jiao-Long said. "Like I said before, there is no one more devoted to Polaris than Biyu... I'll set up a trap for her."
Meifeng raised an eyebrow. "What kind of trap?"
"The celebration will take place in the Grand Ceremonial ballroom in White Coast," Jiao-Long said. "It's surrounded by a beautiful garden... and I will get Biyu there, where you two will catch her off guard and restrain her... but, there is something important I have to tell you about her." Jiao-Long said, pressing his fingertip against the desk.
Ooooh boy. Meifeng thought to herself.
"...Biyu is a Metahuman." Jiao-Long said.
"No, biggy," Meifeng shrugged, playing it coolly. "I fight Metahumans."
"But, Biyu's ability is an elemental ability... that dips into the mimicry class," Jiao-Long started off. "She can control light... and turn into it briefly in order to teleport short distances."
Damn it. Meifeng thought to herself. "So, basically, you're telling us we have one shot at this." She rolled her eyes up into her head as she looked back at Jiao-Long.
"Yes." Jiao-Long said. "She is very elderly, but, at the same time, very cunning... if she finds out that I've betrayed her..." He looked outside the window.
"...It will not bode well for my family."
A light manipulator who could use it to teleport away. Just great. "...We'll need a plan," Shizuka said, looking at Meifeng. "To allow one of us to get close enough to her to put the suppressant collar on her, which will prevent her from using her light power to escape."
"Personally, I don't think my "be really stealthy and slap it on her while she isn't looking" plan will work," Meifeng shrugged. "So, possibly... I was thinking that I distract Biyu, then you use your weird ghost powers to sneak up on her. Like, I act like I was worried about Jiao-Long, then - BAM! You slap that bitch on her."
Lihua took a sip of her wine. "...Personally, I would help," She started off. "But, I believe it's for the best that I stay far away from Biyu as I can..."
Shizuka shook his head at Meifeng. "I can use my power to sneak up to her, but that's going to be hard without arousing too much suspicion - my ability doesn't make me invisible, and that will easily alert her." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Like, is there a way for me to get close to her without making too much fuss?"
"The garden..." Jiao-Long said. "It contains a maze of shrubbery... like the ones you see in the movies. Perhaps you can make use of that?"
Shizuka frowned. "That can work, but it's too much work - it'll need perfect coordination from you all, and she'll definitely get suspicious if she notices you guys hanging out at the garden for too long." There had to be a better way, something that would allow him to be right under Biyu's nose without anyone asking questions...
"Oh, Shizuka," Mika finally chimed in, stepping up to the young man. "I've been meaning to ask..." That haughty attitude was replaced with a more demure, and innocent, one. "...You have certainly impressed me with your dedication to my auntie... and you are quite the handsome young man... will you accompany me to the party?"
"Oooooh, Mika!" Meifeng said, playfully. "That's if he's into chubby girls! Ha!"
That earned a sharp glare from Mika.
Shizuka considered Mika for a moment, his mind too focused on drafting out the plan to spare a thought about the flirty jokes the girls were making. "...That's it. I can blend in with the crowd better by pretending to be your partner, and I can be near your grandmother without making her suspicious. Assuming that you're close with her, that is."
"I- but..." Mika trailed off, before shaking her head. "Very well, I know Biyu very well... at least I thought I did." She mused to herself. "Either way, I can get you close... but, she may get suspicious due to my telepathy."
"...Wow, Shizuka cockblocked himself." Meifeng thought out loud.
"Meifeng, take this seriously." Lihua snarled at her daughter.
"I know Biyu very well... at least I thought I did." She mused to herself. "Either way, I can get you close... but, she may get suspicious due to my telepathy."
"That won't be the only thing she'll get suspicious about..." Shizuka trailed off, the realization slowly dawned on the emotionally dense man. Then he was looking at everywhere but Mika. "...We'll also need to do something to make this, uh, fake partner act more... convincing." He managed to keep his voice even and maintained his usual professional demeanor, but he couldn't stop his ears from going red.
"...Well, for starters," Meifeng chimed in, rolling her eyes up into her head. "...Maybe, MAYBE, you don't call it "fake" in front of the girl that just made an advance towards you." Sometimes Shizuka amazed her.
Mika just stayed silent.
"...Mika, he doesn't mean it like that," Lihua chimed in, trying to help salvage this. "...He's just... bad at showing affection..."
Shizuka stared at the Zhao women with an expression that alternated between irritation and embarrassment. Finally he held out a hand to Mika, the hard look on his face softened, and he tried to give her a small smile. "...I'll be in your care, then."
He would have to swallow all his prideful logic and make this plan work for the sake of taking down Polaris and the Founding Family, whether this partnership would remain an act till the end... or if it ever became real. Maybe he should give Mika a chance - aside from her rather rounded appearance, she was pretty in her own way (he would just say the same thing to every woman in this world anyway, because he never cared much for outward looks). She couldn't be any worse than the General's bitchy niece, whom he always got put off by her heavy makeup on top of her pushy personality.
Mika's attraction to Shizuka rekindled, as she took his hand. "Why thank you."
From behind Mika, Meifeng gave Shizuka the thumbs up while Lihua facepalmed.
"...But, there's one thing I'm curious about," Lihua suddenly said. "Just how many of the Family's cronies will be there...?"
"I'm not sure," Jiao-Long said. "Anyone in the science field could be working for them." He shrugged.
"And the likelihood of the Family sending their bulldog?" Lihua had to ask again.
"Actually, I'll say it's unlikely," Meifeng said, shrugging. "While it sounds preeetty fucked up, the Hound is probably going to be tearing up the MIP debate. Even Cindy who's drunk off her ass can see that." She started laughing... before it abruptly became awkward.
Shizuka shrugged at Meifeng - which made him notice that he was still holding hands with Mika. "I dunno... I don't think the Hound is the only dog we'll have to worry about. The Family can easily get another one of their obedient puppies to do the job. Remember the last assassination in UK?" He narrowed his eyes. This other poodle of the Fags - the Phantasm - had a very troublesome ability. One that even he could tell would be a real pain to deal with if he ever crossed paths with that beast.
"Yes... The wannabe Hound." She could see Shizuka's point, they had other men. And honestly, she would rather deal with the creepy intangibility guy than the unstoppable Hound. Or that metal guy who tried to shove a chainsaw up her ass.
But, there was something she had to confirm... She turned towards Jiao-Long.
"Uncle, did you do anything to piss off the Family? Something that would make them send their dog soldiers after you?"
"No... I came up with a lie to buy some time." Jiao-Long answered. "We should have enough time to capture and interrogate Biyu."
"Is there anyone there they'd want to kill?" Meifeng asked that.
"As I said before... Anyone could be with them... Anyone could be against them."
"Well, what can they gain from shooting up a party?" Meifeng shrugged.
"Everything," Shizuka replied to Meifeng's question tonelessly. "...All of you will lose everything you have here." And he let his words hung in the air.
"Mr. Takashiro is correct," Lihua said, standing up, and facing him. "The Liu bloodline, and their allies will be there... it will surely be the end of them."
"No, no, no..." Meifeng said. "What I'm saying is; what reason do they have to attack the party? Even if they have allies there, it's unlikely they'll have to cause a bloodbath to intimidate everyone."
"The Family works in strange ways, Meifeng. You need to be prepared for anything from them." The Zhao Matriarch sternly said as she spoke to Meifeng. "Either way, I'll leave Lijuan in the Liu Estate.She'll be disappointed - but it's for the best..." Lihua said, crossing her arms.
"So, I guess we're done here?" Meifeng asked.
"Yes... what we discussed here..." Lihua looked between her new allies... and realized that she was getting pulled into a fight she really wanted to avoid. Oh well. If it meant Jiao-Long and his nieces were safe, then she'd go to any length. A soldier would never be done with their fight until they're dead, after all.
Written in collaboration with @Mr Allen J Faircrest Woods, Roseview.
The two students were going toe-to-toe against each other, soaring over the trees as each made their ascent. It was almost beautiful, but Wendy couldn't take in the scenery. She was on a mission, and there was nothing that was going to stop her. While Rowan was using his newfound trick he practiced, she was riding the air currents to transport her in the right direction. Thankfully, she had the power of GPS!
Once she was a mile away from her destination... she flew to the ground, beneath the treeline. Before she looked at her phone, then looked forward. She saw the large warehouse that looked pretty up to date. She didn't see any activity in there... but, so far, she doesn't have any reason to mistrust her contact.
Now, was the matter of getting in. Wendy walked up to a door inside the warehouse, and saw that it was locked with a padlock... which should be trivial for Rowan. "Rowan... would you do the honors?" Wendy asked - before she added on. "But, try not to break it, it's best that we leave as little traces as possible that we were here...."
"Yeah, yeah..." Rowan said, before tightening his fingers around the lock and concentrating hard, until a very faint click could be heard and the lock came loose. "Better than before."
"You're the best, Rowan." Wendy said, flashing him a smile as she slowly opened the doors to the warehouse. The place was dark... too dark to see anything. So, the first thing Wendy did was whip out her cellphone, turn on her flashlight app, and shine it into the darkness. The first thing she saw was a large room, with many shipping containers. She wondered just why they were here before shrugging off the thought because it was dark as balls in here.
"Rowan? Do you have a light?" Wendy asked.
"Uh...." Rowan fumbled around in is pocket for a moment, eventually withdrawing his own phone and switching on the flashlight. "Just this." It wasn't much, especially on the phone that he had, but it was better than nothing.
"Good enough, keep your eyes open." Wendy said... there has to be a light in here, but she didn't want to attract too much attention. Especially when this could be the one day where the base sees activity, and the two get sprayed with bullets. With that out of the way, Wendy began walking through the small maze of crates... before she doubled back and just went around it.
The hard concrete floor made her think of the advantage that she had in this area. All they have to do is find a computer, and get a little bit of information out of it. Eventually, the two came across a wooden stairs... this must lead somewhere because Wendy knew they couldn't search every inch of this warehouse without the Academy realizing they aren't there and sending out a search party. And the last thing that Wendy wanted was to be locked in a damn jail-cell.
"So..." Rowan said, with a hushed tone, "What're we looking for?"
"A computer."
"That helps." Rowan remarked.
"I'm hoping that it's up here... but, it might be...." Wendy trailed off, before just shaking her head and climbing up the stairs slowly. The first step creaked lowly and made her stop, and look around as if she alerted anyone. Not hearing a sound other than the two of them, she proceeded to climb up the stairs.
Reaching the apex of the stairway, Wendy and Rowan reached a door. She took in a sigh, and slowly opened the door, shining her flashlight through the crack... and it looked a lot different. It looked like a hangout with a wooden floor, chairs, and even a lightswitch! She was taking a risk here.
... She flipped the lightswitch and the room was instantly illuminated, prompting the two of them to turn their own torches off.
The room did look like a hangout. With all these seats, chairs, and even a bar, Wendy almost felt the need to have a seat. She looked around and saw a bookshelf... and right next to it was a computer. She was quick to skip over to it, and get to work.
"Alright, Rowan," Wendy said in a hushed tone. "Just let me get what I need off the computer, and we can get out of here... watch the door."
"Just do your thing, yeah?" Rowan said, taking up a spot adjacent to the door. If anyone... or anything came up, he was ready to hold off whatever tried to come through, at least long enough for them to get out. He found it somewhat unsettling at the idea the place was normally occupied by people like the ones who'd come after them before, but if it meant Wendy got her sister back then so be it.
Wendy quickly turned on the computer and it wasn't long before a login screen popped up... asking for a password she didn't know! It seems like her contact was keeping his lips firmly shut after what happened in Courtbridge. Wendy would, too. But, if she doesn't, she would just be wasting time. She whipped out her cellphone and typed up a text like a madman.
What's the passcode for this terminal?
She sent the text, and patiently awaited the reply....
qwerty12345
Wendy raised an eyebrow, looking in confusion.
That was a joke. It's Allfather83458.
Wendy was somewhat surprised by the sudden sense of humor her mysterious contact has developed. She was quick to punch in the password, and she was granted access to the entire system. A smile formed on Wendy's face as the computer finally warmed up, and she dug a little bit into the files. There wasn't anything of note... other than a map. But, instead of anything useful, it was covered in vague terms. Such as "Pizza," and "Marlon's" ... Obvious code-phrases. She could decode them, but that'll take time, and energy.
But, the only thing she wanted to do was grab these files, and get the hell out. She attached her phone's usb-cord to the computer, and downloaded the map... and just as a precaution, she brought along a USB-drive, and saved it there, too. She turned the computer back off, and tried to put the chair back the best she could.
Rowan glanced over his shoulder for a moment and raised an eyebrow. "Is that it?"
"Yeah, let's..."
A portal opened in the other side of the room, and Wendy just knew it wouldn't bode well for her. Stepping out of it was the armored frame of the Black Hound... and he looked as frightening as ever. He was holding a M23 grenade launcher in one hand that was slung over his shoulder, and plenty of extra shells.
"... My, my, my," The Hound mused in his electronic voice. "This just confirms it; you are getting help from somewhere." He trailed off, but Wendy could tell the irritation in his voice.
"Oh God," Wendy said... it's time to put that training to good use.
He slapped the grenade launcher into his hand, and continued, "So, let me cut you a deal... tell me who is helping you, and I'll spare the two of you."
Wendy clenched her fist as the concrete floor underneath the wood was being cracked... one could hear it if they paid attention. "No..." Wendy trailed off, as the Hound's eyes flashed red. "... Let me cut you a deal - return Diana to me, and I won't kick your ass!" She said, and the ground split, causing a fissue to erupt
"Hmph," The Hound paid that threat little mind. "I told you Ms. Lucker... if you persued my employers, I would have to kill you - and yet, you go and become a pain in my ass...." He aimed the grenade launcher at Wendy, and fired off a round...
Only for it to stop mid-trajectory as Rowan caught it before it could do either of them harm. One thing the scrawny teen had recalled from their last encounter was that asshole's grenades, only this time he had way more practice.
Wendy sighed in relief as was quick to take advantage of the terrain around her. She raised her foot up into the air, and slammed it onto the ground, and caused a small impact that echoed through the area. A chunk of stone the size of a basketball broke out of the ground. She quickly punched it... hurting her hand in the process because she didn't have the control that Ms. Zhao did. The block hit the Hound square in the chest, breaking into pieces on impact, and made him stumble backwards.
"... You've gotten your teacher's power, I see?" The Hound said, "No matter. It won't save you."
The Hound quickly rushed Wendy, and the girl, desperate for a shield, slammed both hands onto the ground. Creating another shockwave that caused a large chunk of the ground to flip upwards. Creating a block between the Hound and herself. She ducked down and hoped for the best.
Unfortunately, that didn't do too much to deter the dark brute... Using his momentum, he swung his fist, and utterly shattered the upper half of the shield as if it was nothing. It was only a moment before Wendy noticed that there were chunks of stone flying in all directions, and could see the Hound's massive hand reaching for her neck.
Once again, the Hound raised Wendy above his head by her neck. "... You need more practice." He muttered as he put pressure on Wendy's neck.
"Hey!"
That provoked a reaction from Rowan, who concentrated on the metallic plates in the Hound's armour and took a hold of the assassin with his magnetism in an effort to draw his focus away from Wendy.
Wendy took this opportunity to reach behind her, and whip her hand around, and attempt to use what was left of the shield to slam into the Hound. It hit him in the side with immense force, and made him let go of Wendy as he was knocked back.
Hitting the ground, Wendy knew that this was an uphill battle. Even though they trained for a week... they were still up against the God damn Black Hound. They needed a plan of attack before they take him out... and Wendy had an idea. It was a stretch, but what else could they do?
"Rowan!" Wendy shouted as she hopped in the air, and slammed both feet into the floor in an awkward manner. She managed to flip another block of concrete onto the Black Hound and pushed him backwards. It was supposed to look like an attack, but what Wendy was really doing was giving themselves an exit.
She was quick to hop into the empty space, hoping that Rowan would do the same.
Those hopes were met as the scrawny teenager's footsteps thudded behind her.
She flipped the ground right over, and made their exit much cleaner. The Hound pressed a button on his helmet, and turned on the infared... he saw them on the ground floor, and cooked up a quick strategy. He stood right above them, and...
"... Okay, Rowan!" Wendy quickly said. "I have a plan! But, it might be a stretch... try to drop that shipping crate-" Wendy pointed at the shipping crate that was stacked onto two others... which lead to a pretty hefty drop. "-on him! Think you can do that?!" It was the best plan she could come up with - because it's obvious that the Hound has some way to track people long distances.
There was no time for second guessing, or to consider an alternative plan - Rowan quickly nodded.
On cue, the Black Hound's foot burst through the ceiling directly above them, and Wendy looked up in shock. He pulled his foot back, and with one final stomp, he came falling through the ceiling. He remained stiff as a statue as he held his grenade launcher over his shoulder. Wendy dove to the side, and watched him turn towards her.
"Go!" Wendy shouted at Rowan, who began to make a dash across the warehouse floor. "I'll take it from here!" She said.
The Hound aimed down the sights of his grenade launcher at Wendy - but the girl was quick to flip more ground over to shield her. The first grenade that came out blew the shield to pieces, but Wendy had a strategy. She quickly reached into her satchel and touched a piece of paper. In the mist of dust and smoke going in all directions, paper had traveled up Wendy's hand and she immediately exploded into a cloud of paper.
The Hound realized that she had disappeared from his sensors... So, she's pulled that card, huh? The Hound thought to himself as he turned off his infared vision, and looked around for Wendy to reform. Readying his grenade launcher as he turned back towards Rowan... That should get her to start being hasty.
Wendy turned back into her human form right on the crate she told Rowan to reform. Great. She's going to need a strategy to get him into position, and now he's going for Rowan. Double great. She'll need to do something to save him. But, to use her concrete powers, she'll need to get on the ground, in sight of the Hound, and her paper powers will only tickle his bodyarmor.
So... why doesn't she utilize that other power of hers?
Reaching into her satchel again, she grabbed some batteries, and pulled the electricity out of them until they were dry. The electricity traveled up her hands and caused immense crackling... before the Hound looked up at her. Wendy was prepared for this, but the Hound shot a grenade at her... and then she was surrounded in an electrical aura as she caught the grenade in mid-air.
She turned it around and sent it flying right back towards the Hound - who could only throw his arm up in vain - and the grenade exploded against his arm. Creating a cloud of dust, and when it settled, it revealed the Hound's armor was blown off around his arm, and flesh, bone, and muscle, were all exposed. The rest of his armor was only damaged slightly.
"... That is getting to be really annoying," The Black Hound groaned to himself as he moved on as if his horrific injuries were nothing. He aimed the grenade launcher at Wendy one-handed and fired a barrage of grenades at her as he took a step back.
Wendy tried to catch them, but she could only successfully catch one - the rest exploded around her. A grenade hit the ceiling above her and knocked off a large chunk of stone that hit Wendy in the shoulder, and then she loudly yelled in pain as she lost what little balance she had left. She fell off onto the ground with a thud, landing right next to the shipping container.
The Hound slowly approached the girl with the intent of finishing her off... there was dust that didn't even bother the Hound. The girl was lying on her back, clothes stained with blood.
"Ro... Rowan..." Wendy said, as the Hound approached, raising his boot high up into the air... but, then he noticed where her hand was. "... Now!"
Wendy shouted as she turned into paper and zipped off
In the aftermath of his battle with Wendy, the assassin had failed to notice the low metallic hum that had begun to resonate overhead. Before the Black Hound had a chance to realise what was in store, the shipping container that had overlooked the both of them came crashing down in a mass of sparks and ear-piercing screeching, plunging into the Hound where he stood as Rowan looked on from behind, beads of sweat running down his forehead.
Wendy reformed and turned around to see that the Hound was finally defeated... She grabbed her shoulder and let out a sigh of relief. She couldn't recall a single Metahuman that could survive an attack like that. And furthermore, Rowan's ability was incredible. She knew he wasn't dead, but they should get the hell out of here before he gets back up....
Before the girl could've said another word, Rowan was back at her side, tugging at her good shoulder. "Can we go now?!" He asked with an exasperated tone.
"Y-yeah!" Wendy said as she ran for the exit...
... But, there was the sharp sound of metal screeching that almost made Wendy stab her eardrums out. She did the one thing you were never suppposed to do in a horror movie, and looked back.
She saw the Hound lifting scraps of the shipping container off him, and he stood straight up. His armor was heavily damaged, scarred by numerous visible scrapes and dents, whilst his helmet had been massively dented - which made Wendy curious as to what happened to the man underneath it. His arm was bent backwards, and was oozing more blood than before. But, this up close look of him told her of his regenative prowress. His gun was destroyed... but, he was still kicking. He took a step, and Wendy's heart skipped a beat.
"... He stops at nothing." Wendy said to Rowan as the Hound marched towards her.
But, he came to a stop when she heard some static-y chatter coming from his helmet. He pressed a button on the side of his helmet, and stopped. He said something under his breath....
"... Looks like I have important business to attend to," The Hound said, casually. "I think the two of you earned a second chance... but, I implore that you stop this crusade now..."
He looked at Wendy, and his eyes shined a bright red color.
"... Because at the end of this hole... is death."
The Hound took a step backwards as he said, "Zenith." A portal opened up behind him, and he put one foot in. "... I'd recommend that you two leave now. This base will be destroyed very shortly."
Before he stepped in, and the portal closed.
There was something... odd here. Like, now that they aren't risking the Hound killing them, Wendy could think clearly about what happened. Just why did the Hound show up? Far as she could tell, this base was unimportant. And what did he mean by "you need more practice?"
"Um..." Wendy said, as she grabbed Rowan by the wrist and dragged him off. "... Let's just go, we'll talk about it later!"
With the impending threat of the base exploding... there was little time to chit-chat.
Once they were clear, it gave Rowan a chance to notice the full scope of her injuries. "You look like..." Shit. Though that part was better left unsaid. "Uh, use your paper thing and hold on, alright?"
"Alright..." Wendy said, as she negated her weight... with her injuries, and exhaustion, it would be foolish to start trying to fly, so instead she grabbed onto Rowan. After he was certain she could hold on, the scrawny teen started concentrating yet again until, finally, they began to lift off the ground.
Making a steady ascent until they were directly overhead the trees, heading back to the Academy.
Abe found a hotel that night. Not one of a chain, but a local one that was owned by one of the city's elite class. It was a towering suite in the downtown sect of Baybridge's districts. The floors were made of porcelain, crystalline chandeliers were hung from the ceiling, and suited ushers carrying his things to his room for him. The room he bought was furnished with scarlet carpeting, a king sized beds with countless pillows and thick sheets. Wine and glasses sat beside the bed, and along with it, a variety of services such as room phones and internet and television - there was probably an escort line in here, but paying for sex was a classless act to do in Abe's book, especially if he could just as easily pick somebody up. Blocked by sliding glass doors, it was on the balcony of that room where Abe stood, overlooking the busy streets of Baybridge as he had a phone pressed up to the side of his head.
"Cassowary reporting in."
"Has Cassowary infiltrated RAVEN yet?" Inquired the voice on the other side. Their voice was feminine, and were one of the few contacts that were able to relay the information to the boss-man in charge.
"Not yet. Bureaucracy is getting in the way. But I've got a friend inside that can probably cut some of the red tape out of my way, and I've got some events lined up for me to get in nice and cozy with the big wigs. Expect me to be handing out the orders in no time."
"That is good. Your friend is Blackmore, yes? Record says you went to the academy with him, and his late father died in Verthaven seven years ago in the service of NEST-sanctioned RAVEN. A recommendation from that legacy may go a long way."
"Just as I had thought." Abe asserted.
"And what of the events you have in mind?" She asked.
"You aren't my only information broker." Abe answered smugly. "I have about as many contacts connected to my father. One of his business partners has a link to... an old colleague of mine."
"Serpent."
Abe's face froze in a look of stun, and paused in a brief moment of silence. They continued.
"We did all kinds of homework on you, Cassowary. We know that Serpent has a closer connection to you than just through your father."
"So, you did know..." Abe chuckled uncomfortably.
"Yes, we're also aware that there's a birthday on the 'morrow. If you're suggesting that you plan on attending a party to gain leverage on Serpent and secure your chances in infiltrating RAVEN, then that is an excellent idea that I would personally endorse. You may relax tonight, I'm signing you in to your party personally."
"Oh. Well, that's good then!" Abe replied.
"Just one thing, Cassowary. Once you get into RAVEN, try to avoid their high security cells. If Ignatius identifies you, your cover will be blown. Magus does not mind your arrogance in slighting our intelligence, but he would be very displeased to hear about your failure. He was tentative about letting a stranger such as yourself be given this mission in the stead of his top agent, but I find that the ability to talk would be crucial here. Try not to give him a reason for him to send the Nightengale after you."
"I'd like to see her try!" Abe refuted, now all fired up at the suggestion of the Nightengale taking him down.
"End of report, Cassowary?"
Abe ended the call right at that point and marched inside his hotel room, throwing the phone at the cushioned bed. That certainly wasn't the conversation he was picturing in his head! He wanted to make it clear to his employers that he was efficient, and was able to hold one over their heads. That he had power in his hands that they had no control over - but no, that wasn't the case. They had a mural of the entire picture on their walls, detailed and articulated, far beyond what Abe had at his disposal. The realization that they didn't need him so much as they needed a pair of boots on the ground was clear now, and it was infuriating. As it were, they didn't even believe he was the best option they had at their disposal! The Nightengale, bah! She wasn't so tough. If they weren't paying him so much, he might jump ship on this cruise. But... nobody before them were able him to assign such fun assignments. He'd just have to hold out for now and prove his worth.
A bottle of wine sat at the nightstand beside his bed, next to two glasses. Latricieres Chambertin Domaine Leroy... or whatever the fuck. Wine wasn't really his style, but God, he could use something to make the night go by a little quicker. He poured the glass with a steady hand, and walked the expensive wine back to balcony that overlooked the city. Black night, lit up by dots of street lights and cars. Taking a sip, and letting the strong, smooth flavor wash over his tongue. He turned around and looked into his room and sighed.
"Could use a couple more women in here."
He walked back inside and picked up the hotel room's phone. Before dialing any of the numbers, he downed the rest of the glass and flung it towards the bathroom, where the dainty glass immediately shattered and collected in the bathtub. In its stead, he picked up the whole bottle itself.
"Hello. I'd like to schedule a valet for a meeting I must attend tomorrow. Yes... the Liu Estate. Excellent, have a wonderful night!"
He hung up the phone, and just as soon, lifted the bottle and took a couple chugs of wine before laying his back down on the bed.
"To me!" He declared, raising the bottle in a toast in an empty room. "And not getting laid in a giant bed tonight, and drinking a two grand bottle of wine alone! Traveling with your job sucks."
Written in collaboration with @Mr Allen J Oakdell Harbour, White Coast.
It had not been a great week for Max. Of course, in comparison to other RAVENs she had it easy, but the stress of work had increased with the recent events. What didn't help was the resurfacing of Rori's family and their crazy cult church forming in Baybridge somewhere. Max doubted it was much of a threat but like hell was she going to allow her cousin to be dragged into it. It all added up to a bundle of stress which wasn't always helped by going home to an annoying 17 year old.
That's why she'd chosen to go out tonight, alone. She could let go a bit more when she wasn't with people she knew - most of whom were RAVENs. She didn't want to get drunk around a lot of them; some of them already had pretty bad opinions of her. She was already three drinks in; a shot to get the night started, and then two bottles of beer (which she liked much better, but a shot helped her on her way to being drunk). Where she sat at the bar she'd already managed to strike up a conversation with a person or two. Sadly none of them had lasted long. She was tipsy enough by now to not care, though; she would talk to just about anyone for however long.
Hopefully it would end up being a fun night.
It wasn't long until Veronica stepped into one of her favorite bars in the city... the Geoff Tavern. In White Coast, there were many bars for the tourists (the rest of the places were quite frankly shitty run down holes in the wall reserved for men depressed about how their wives fuck other men), and Geoff Tavern was one of them because it was dark and distant enough for her to find a nice spot where no one would annoy her. It was basically a traditional wooden bar with a counter... but, while she was gazing at the bar counter, something interesting.
One of the RAVENS... Veronica couldn't help but forget her name, but Veronica knew her as one of the less relevant RAVENS. The FF spoke of her briefly, but she only stands out due to her association with the RAVENS that are much higher on the list. That's what made Veronica curious. While she could use her charms to sway this RAVEN to the side of the Family... she would much rather have a RAVEN in her back pocket.
So, all she had to do was get friendly with her... she wasn't sure if the RAVEN swung that way, but Veronica was quite beautiful. Very few people could resist her advances.
Putting on a smile, Veronica skipped over to Max. She completely changed her demeanor to aloof, to bright and sunny. With a smile on her face, and a childlike look in her eyes, she sat next to Max on the counter and said, "Oh hey!" Veronica cheerfully said, "I've seen you on the news before... you're one of those RAVENS, right? I hope so...." She tapped her fingers on the counter and smiled at Max in a coy manner. "... If not, you still look awfully lonely here. What's your name?"
Getting her name was a start... even if she did know the RAVEN's name, she'd act like she didn't just to get a conversation started more... naturally. Get her unarmed. While she was waiting for her response, she was eyeing the RAVEN for any and all body-language.
It took Max a moment to realize that it was her that was being talked to. She turned to look at Veronica, freezing momentarily. Any brain power put towards processing her words went out of the window. Wow, this woman was attractive. And she was talking to Max. A very good looking person was talking to her. This wasn't exactly an every day occasion.
"Oh, hi, yeah- I am a RAVEN. People aren't normally so happily to see us," she eventually commented, regaining her composure slightly. "The name's Max, what's yours?"
"Hailey, it's great to meet cha', Max - mind if I call you Maxxie or something else cute like that? She laughed a little. Veronica gave her the fake name that the Family told her to use only because she isn't fond of slinging around Veronica. She noticed how the girl was thrown off... Is she into Veronica? If so, that would make this a lot easier. The first thing she was going to do was weave a lie.
"Nice to meet you too, Hailey," Max responded with a smile. "Go for it - whatever works, if it includes at least part of my name." She preferred Max, but she could deal with other names - especially from someone so attractive.
"I owe a lot to RAVEN, actually. You saved my friend Jenny from the mall..." She was making sure that she could weave a lie that Max (or RAVEN) couldn't confirm or deny. It was elementary to the seductress. Her smile disappeared for a moment, as she said "And... have you ever heard of Verthaven?" She asked.
"Really? Well, I'm glad that we helped save your friend." Max looked slightly sheepish, running a hand through her short hair. She'd been just about useless during the mall incident. She was in no rush to say about that, though. "I have heard of Verthaven. A few of my... Co-workers lived through that." It was an odd question, but she answered it truthfully.
"I was also there... on vacation with some friends," Veronica said, weaving a sob story for Max. "We just wanted to have some fun, but then all hell broke loose... almost died there at the last hours... but, I was saved by a NEST Agent. Adam Blackmore. I found out his name after I got out, and after he died." She was just using the information that she gathered from the Intimidation Unit about the disaster. So far, she's got this RAVEN wrapped around her finger....
Veronica sighed, before she put on a chipper smile. "... But, that's all in the past now. I decided that, from here on in, I'm going to make every second count!" She started laughing. "Since then, you could say that I've been a... ah, RAVEN fangirl?" She started laughing again. "Still, I personally don't get why everyone hates RAVEN - imagine what it'd be like if they weren't here?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Max responded lamely to what was said about Verthaven. She didn't have very much to say about it. Maybe if she'd been there she would understand better. "Well, you're in a small club of RAVEN fans." Max laughed too, though it was slightly bitter. "I know, I don't really get it either. Well, I understand why criminals dislike us - but normal people? They don't realise that we save their fucking asses all the time and if we didn't exist nobody would have gotten out of the mall. It makes it real difficult to do our job when everyone hates us."
"But, I wouldn't worry too much about public approval," Veronica started off, laughing. "You do your thing, and keep doing it. That's the best you can do, right?"
Veronica figured that it was best to stop talking about RAVEN, and change the subject to Maxine herself. "But, to be frank, even if I hated RAVEN, I'd still have to say you're one of the cuter Agents I've seen." She casually flirted with her.
"Oh, wow, really," Max stuttered slightly - and blushed. There was no way that was true. Hell, most of the other ladies were way more attractive than her. "Well, I have to say I'm not quite as attractive as you are." Max was a bit rusty with the whole flirting thing, it had been a while, but she was getting back into the swing of things.
"Oh my goodness," Veronica said, feigning shock. "Flirting doesn't come naturally to you, does it?" She laughed. "... Well, if I were a teacher I'd have to give you an A for effort." She reached over and gave Max a light twirl of her hair, before retracting.
"I used to be better at it," Max shrugged. "I haven't flirted in years - don't get much time off." She smiled warmly anyway. "Well, bad flirting or not, I do mean it." Max was only just getting to terms with the fact that she was being flirted with... by someone who wasn't even average looking, like it had always been before.
"Well, either way, I am flattered that you think of me that way," Veronica playfully said, and didn't even break eye contact for a second her pronounced green eyes were constantly on Maxine. "... But, it really sounds like you could definitely use some company, sweetheart...." Veronica lustfully said as she got a little closer, and put her hand on her shoulder, and making sure to give Max a good view of her cleavage.
She winked at Max. "... So, can I buy you a drink?"
Play it cool, Max. It was difficult for her not to get too flustered, but she tried to take it all in stride. "Of course you can." If her brother, or any of her friends from before she'd gone to the Academy, saw her now she'd have never heard the end of it. She used
"What would you like, sweetheart?" Veronica playfully said. "I can buy you whatever you like. Whiskey, wine, vodka, whatever."
"A vodka and coke would be great."
Veronica raised an eyebrow, but kept that friendly look on her face. "Vodka and coke? An interesting combination, I'd say! Personally, coke goes better with rum in my opinion, but to each their own, right?" She playfully said before she faced the bartender, with a finger in the air. "Bar tender! Vodka and coke please!"
Nodding his head, it wasn't long until he came back with the combination. Which had more coke than vodka. Grabbing onto it, Veronica slid it over towards Max.
"... Don't worry," Veronica said, "I didn't put too many roofies in it!" She made that joke to ease the tension a little bit... and build up that "harmless" pixie-girl vibe she's been building up.
"So, could you tell me about the real Maxxie?" Veronica playfully said. She was going to direct this conversation in a less than subtle direction - since it looked like Max was going to jump out her clothes and make love to her here and now. "What do you do for fun - other than beating up bad guys." She laughed at her own joke. Before she gave her a suggestive look.
"And... your orientation."
"Hah, I think you'll find I'm quite a boring person - watching television, some stuff on the computer... eh, I keep a few plants and stuff." She shrugged - she knew it wasn't exactly the answer that was being looked for but she gave it anyway.
"Eh, don't we all?" Veronica said as she leaned back in her chair. "I spend waaaay too much time watching videos about ant-farming, and spiders.... it sounds a little weird, but I've always been a creepy crawly lady."
"As for that kind of thing... let's just say I swing both ways."
"Oh?" Veronica said, "And here I was worried that you wouldn't like me! I've got a lot of charm, you know." She laughed.
"I'm a dirty bisexual as well... most people expect me to stick my titty in the mouth of the first girl I see!" Now, Veronica has Maxine right around her finger. All she has to do is ask the big question... and she'll have a RAVEN in her backpocket - not the Family's pocket, but her own. She leaned in, and got really close to Max's face, longingly looking her in the eye. "Well... maybe I'll make an exception for you."
She flirtatiously joked. Max's face went slightly pink, and her breathing got slightly heavier when Veronica leaned in.
"Well, as a RAVEN fangirl..." Veronica said in between playful chuckles. "... I've always wanted a RAVEN girlfriend, you know. We're compatible, after all... and maybe you can get me an autograph from Maximilian, or Deborah, both would be nice."
She said, before adding on, "... But, I have to confess that I had a crush on Deborah for ages now - that butt is just too yummy - but I can't have a relationship with no privacy!"
Max laughed slightly, blushing. "I'm not sure I can do the autograph thing - I ain't high enough up in RAVEN to just get one on whim. The girlfriend thing, though, that I can do."
"Oh what a shame... I'll have to wait until you're high enough, and then break up with you!" Veronica playfully said, "I'm only in for the autographs!"
Well, probably. She hadn't dated anyone in a very long so she had no idea how it would go.
"And don't worry, I can see were you're coming from with Deborah - not that I've had the same thing, she's my boss after all."
"Ah, don't worry...." Veronica said, as she reached into her purse, and then put it on the counter, sliding it across towards Max. My number. You can call me any time, sweetheart."
Finishing it with a wink, Veronica played Max like a fool. She didn't feel any real attraction towards the girl - because in her eyes, she was no different from the fat slobs that would usually be slobbering over her. Only after her looks, and don't realize she's not just all titty. Disgusting. But, she'll make the most of this RAVEN-girl as she could, then ditch her. Veronica knew she was so low on the totem pole that the Family would only consider her RAVEN canon-fodder, at most.
"Anyways, love," Veronica stood up, and got a little bold. She leaned in and kissed Max on the cheek. "... I have to go now - I came here to talk to someone... and you can say that I got more than I came for. Bonne soirée!"
